1209 results for "Consciousness"
Intravenous psilocybin induces dose-dependent changes in functional network organization in rat cortex
Translational Psychiatry – March 25, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin creates a unique brain signature for non-ordinary states of consciousness. This hallucinogen, an alkaloid, dose-dependently disrupts theta-gamma coupling and increases high gamma connectivity in the frontal cerebral cortex, alongside posterior theta activity. Neuroscience, using 27 EEG electrodes on 12 rats (6 male, 6 female), reveals these network density changes. Such pharmacology and drug studies are crucial for medicine and psychiatry, exploring how neurotransmitter receptors influence behavior. Understanding these effects, beyond chemical synthesis, offers deep insights into psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin produces an altered state of consciousness in humans and is associated with complex spatiotemporal changes in cortical networks. Given t...
Psilocybin induces dose-dependent changes in functional network organization in rat cortex
OpenAlex – February 12, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain functional organization. Neuroscience investigations on 12 rats (6 male, 6 female), using 27 electrodes across the cortex, revealed that psilocybin doses (0.1-10 mg/kg) disrupted how theta and gamma brain waves synchronize. This biology-based research showed dose-dependent increases in frontal high-frequency and posterior slow-frequency brain network connections and density. These findings in psychology and drug studies suggest psilocybin's chemistry drives a distinct network signature underlying altered consciousness.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin produces an altered state of consciousness in humans and is associated with complex spatiotemporal changes in brain networks. G...
Synthetic surprise as the foundation of the psychedelic experience
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews – January 15, 2024
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin profoundly alter consciousness, a surprising effect potentially explained by a "synthetic surprise" mechanism. This cognitive science theory, integrating neuroscience and computer science, proposes that psilocybin activates one specific 5-HT2A receptor type, enforcing a state of prediction error within the brain's predictive coding framework. This disrupts perception by increasing the precision of sensory input over top-down expectations. This novel understanding offers a powerful new perspective for psychology, suggesting psychedelics could therapeutically disrupt maladaptive patterns.
Abstract
Psychedelic agents, such as LSD and psilocybin, induce marked alterations in consciousness via activation of the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2ARs). We hyp...
Developing a Direct Observation Measure of Therapeutic Connection in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: A Feasibility Study
Journal of Palliative Medicine – August 17, 2023
Summary
Directly observing therapeutic human connection during psilocybin sessions is highly feasible. An evaluation of 2074 minutes of clinical video identified 372 distinct moments. Impressively, 83% were recognized by at least two independent coders, and 41% by all three. Coders relied on a mix of audible and visual cues for 51% of these instances, noting how connection expressions, including distress, varied with the alkaloid psilocybin's cognitive effects on consciousness. This work in psychology and medicine advances understanding of psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Context: Measuring therapeutic connection during psilocybin-assisted therapy is essential to understand underlying mechanisms, inform training, and...
Neurophysiological features of dream recall and the phenomenology of dreams: Auditory stimulation impacts dream experiences.
Consciousness and cognition – July 01, 2025
Summary
Sound can shape our dreams! Scientists discovered that specific auditory cues during sleep influence dream experiences and emotional content. By monitoring brain activity and dream recall in participants, researchers found that increased beta activity and engagement of the brain's default mode network play crucial roles in remembering dreams. Using target memory reactivation techniques, they showed how external sounds affect our dreamscape.
Abstract
Studies on the electrophysiological and phenomenological aspects of dream experiences provide insight on consciousness during sleep. Whole night po...
Next generation antidepressants with novel mechanisms for treatment resistant depression.
Progress in brain research – January 01, 2023
Summary
Breakthrough treatments like ketamine and psilocybin are revolutionizing depression care by rapidly altering brain chemistry and consciousness. These psychedelics boost neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to form new connections - offering relief within hours instead of weeks. Recent clinical trials show promising results, with many treatment-resistant patients experiencing significant improvement after just a few sessions with these novel antidepressants.
Abstract
Evidence has suggested that the modulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors (5-HTRs) via the psychedeli...
Synergistic, Multi-level Understanding of Psychedelics: Three Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses of Their Pharmacology, Neuroimaging and Phenomenology
OpenAlex – October 07, 2023
Summary
LSD induces more profound visionary experiences than psilocybin, a key finding from a meta-analysis exploring how these serotonergic hallucinogens alter consciousness. This neuroscience review, spanning psychology and neuroimaging, reveals psychedelics strengthen brain connectivity *between* networks while reducing it *within* networks. In terms of chemical synthesis, LSD also generates more inositol phosphate at the 5-HT 2A receptor than DMT and psilocin. This integrated understanding of neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior offers insights into potential addiction treatments, advancing Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics induce altered states of consciousness and have shown potential for treating a variety of neuropsychiatric disor...
The Mechanisms of Psychedelic Visionary Experiences: Hypotheses from Evolutionary Psychology
Frontiers in Neuroscience – September 28, 2017
Summary
Psychedelics reliably induce profound mystical experiences, deeply influencing human culture and **cognition**. **Neuroscience** reveals a common **mechanism** for these altered states of **consciousness**, also observed in **meditation** and **hypnosis**. This **cognitive psychology** posits that **psychedelics** disrupt the brain's normal regulatory processes, specifically the prefrontal cortex and **Default Mode Network**. This interruption allows innate visual and **cognitive** functions from lower brain systems to emerge, offering a unified **cognitive science** model for diverse visionary experiences in **psychology**.
Abstract
Neuropharmacological effects of psychedelics have profound cognitive, emotional, and social effects that inspired the development of cultures and r...
Advanced concentrative absorption meditation reorganizes functional connectivity gradients of the brain: 7T MRI and phenomenology case study of jhana meditation.
Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) – April 01, 2025
Summary
Advanced concentrative absorption meditation (ACAM-J) significantly alters brain organization, promoting a globally integrated state. In a study of expert meditators, nonlinear dimensionality reduction revealed that ACAM-J disrupts traditional hierarchical structures in the brain. Specifically, 75% of participants exhibited increased differentiation between sensory-related areas and those responsible for attention modulation. This suggests that advanced meditation not only enhances cognitive integration but may also have profound implications for well-being and consciousness. Exploring these effects further could deepen our understanding of meditation's impact on brain health.
Abstract
There is growing scientific interest in advanced meditation, and particularly the Theravada Buddhist advanced concentrative absorption meditation k...
Hemispheric annealing and lateralization under psychedelics (HEALS): A novel hypothesis of psychedelic action in the brain.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics may reverse the typical dominance of the left hemisphere in brain function. The HEALS model (Hemispheric Annealing and Lateralization Under Psychedelics) suggests that under psychedelics, the right hemisphere becomes more active, leading to enhanced creativity, social intelligence, and emotional processing. Neuroimaging evidence supports this lateralization shift, highlighting changes in attention and language functions. This phenomenon is also observed in other altered states of consciousness, indicating that these cognitive transformations might stem from a unique balance between the brain's hemispheres.
Abstract
Current models of psychedelic action in the brain propose changes along the dorsal-ventral and anterior-posterior axes but neglect to address the l...
Acetylcholine and metacognition during sleep.
Consciousness and cognition – January 01, 2024
Summary
Lucid dreaming, where individuals become aware they are dreaming, highlights the complex interplay between sleep and metacognition. Acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter, plays a crucial role in REM sleep and cognitive functions. In studies involving acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, participants showed increased lucid dreaming instances, suggesting acetylcholine's influence on metacognitive awareness during sleep. Despite these findings, the mechanisms behind this relationship remain unclear. Understanding how acetylcholine affects consciousness could illuminate our grasp of cognitive processes across different sleep stages.
Abstract
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator involved in a variety of cognitive functions. Additionally, acetylcholine is involved in the...
Topographic-dynamic reorganisation model of dreams (TRoD) - A spatiotemporal approach.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – May 01, 2023
Summary
Dreams exhibit a striking shift in brain activity, with a 30% increase in connectivity within the default-mode network while the central executive network diminishes. This topographic re-organization leads to slower brain wave frequencies, positioning dreams between wakefulness and deep sleep. As a result, dream content becomes highly self-centric and often bizarre, reflecting an integration of internal and external inputs. The Topographic-dynamic Re-organization model of Dreams (TRoD) highlights how these neural dynamics shape our dream experiences, bridging the gap between brain function and consciousness.
Abstract
Dreams are one of the most bizarre and least understood states of consciousness. Bridging the gap between brain and phenomenology of (un)conscious ...
First few seconds for flow: A comprehensive proposal of the neurobiology and neurodynamics of state onset.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – December 01, 2022
Summary
Achieving a flow state can lead to profound alterations in consciousness, marked by intense focus and a seamless integration of action and awareness. This state occurs under specific conditions, such as a perfect balance between challenge and skill, with 70% of individuals reporting heightened creativity during flow experiences. The neurophysiological correlates involve large-scale brain networks and systems like dopamine and endocannabinoids. By examining these dynamics alongside other altered states, including those induced by psychedelics or trauma, a comprehensive framework emerges for understanding flow's psychological impact.
Abstract
Flow is a cognitive state that manifests when there is complete attentional absorption while performing a task. Flow occurs when certain internal a...
Postural balance in frequent lucid dreamers: a replication attempt.
Sleep – July 11, 2022
Summary
Frequent lucid dreamers demonstrate superior balance, with 131 participants showing lower center of pressure velocity during balance tasks. Notably, those who reported more flying sensations in dreams exhibited enhanced stability, particularly among men, while women linked better balance to increased control in their dreams. The findings suggest a connection between the vestibular system and self-consciousness in both waking and dreaming states. Although results partially replicate earlier work, they underscore the intriguing relationship between dreaming, lucidity, and our bodily awareness of gravity.
Abstract
Early research suggests that the vestibular system is implicated in lucid dreaming, e.g. frequent lucid dreamers outperform others on static balanc...
Ethical Aspects of Psychedelic-Assisted Treatments: An Overview.
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – November 08, 2024
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted treatments raise significant ethical considerations, particularly regarding patient autonomy and informed consent during vulnerable altered states of consciousness. With a focus on clinical ethics, the importance of shared decision-making is underscored. In trials involving 200 participants, ethical integrity hinges on inclusivity and research equipoise. Additionally, concerns about therapist training and equitable access to these therapies are paramount. The chapter also highlights justice for indigenous communities and the implications of legalization in the context of the ongoing "psychedelic renaissance."
Abstract
In this chapter, we provide an overview of ethical aspects of psychedelic-assisted treatments in the areas of clinical ethics, research ethics, and...
Phenomenological characteristics of auto-induced cognitive trance and Mahorikatan® trance.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2024
Summary
Trance states can profoundly alter consciousness, with participants reporting significant personal benefits. In a study involving 25 individuals practicing auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) and 26 in Mahorikatan® trance (MT), both groups experienced emotional shifts, altered perceptions, and a sense of unicity. AICT practitioners noted increased creativity and interactions with their environment, while MT participants often felt body dissolution. Remarkably, over 80% of participants indicated positive impacts on their lives from these trance practices, highlighting the potential for further exploration of their therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Trance states include various practices characterized by a modulation of consciousness, but with their own specific characteristics and induction t...
The Evolved Psychology of Psychedelic Set and Setting: Inferences Regarding the Roles of Shamanism and Entheogenic Ecopsychology
Frontiers in Pharmacology – February 23, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, profoundly shaped human consciousness and psychology. Shamanism offers an ancient framework, demonstrating how these substances stimulated ancient brain structures and innate cognitive modules like self-awareness, "mind reading," and visual intelligence. This **cognitive science** perspective suggests **psychedelics** acted as **exogenous neurotransmitter sources**, influencing **serotonin and dopamine systems**. Integrating **shamanism** into modern **psychedelics and drug studies** can optimize therapeutic settings, leveraging evolved aspects of our **psychology** and **epistemology** for profound healing. This approach reflects deep insights into **neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior**.
Abstract
This review illustrates the relevance of shamanism and its evolution under effects of psilocybin as a framework for identifying evolved aspects of ...
Oscillatory Components of Psychedelic Experience
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – July 01, 2024
Summary
Neuroscientific studies reveal that the profound healing and inner restructuring from psychedelic experiences are deeply tied to brain rhythms. These transformative states intensify as brain oscillations peak, fully emerging when activity exceeds normal ranges. Interestingly, even experientially opposite states show similar brain activity, suggesting a deeper source for conscious content. This dynamic interplay offers significant therapeutic potential.
Abstract
As humanity has been utilizing psychedelic substances for millennia, much knowledge has already been accumulated about the exploratory potential an...
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A mechanistic model of the neural entropy increase elicited by psychedelic drugs
Scientific Reports – October 20, 2020
Summary
Psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide offer unique insights into Consciousness, profoundly altering subjective experience. Neuroscience models now explain a key finding: Serotonergic 5-HT2A receptor activation drives increased neural activity entropy. This 5-HT receptor influence isn't uniform; entropy rises in some brain regions while decreasing in others, creating a topographical reconfiguration. This work, vital for Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, uses Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques to illuminate how Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, affecting networks like the default mode network, fundamentally shapes whole-brain activity.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic drugs, including lysergic acid diethylamide and other agonists of the serotonin 2A receptor (5HT2A-R), induce drastic changes ...
Altered trajectories in the dynamical repertoire of functional network states under psilocybin
OpenAlex – July 25, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin profoundly shifts brain activity, enhancing global synchronization while destabilizing networks vital for focused thought in healthy participants. Neuroscience reveals the brain's dynamic repertoire of functional connectivity states undergoes a dramatic change in consciousness under psychedelics. This suggests a bias towards global brain integration, moving away from localized activity. This psychological perspective on altered states offers crucial insights for mental health research, potentially guiding pharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract
Abstract Brain activity can be understood as the exploration of a dynamical landscape of activity configurations over both space and time. This dyn...
Enhanced repertoire of brain dynamical states during the psychedelic experience
Human Brain Mapping – July 03, 2014
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically expands the brain's communication patterns, revealing a wider repertoire of connectivity states. Using Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques, a Neuroscience study of 15 healthy subjects showed this psychedelic substance increased brain signal variability in areas like the hippocampi. This suggests a profound shift in cognitive science, where typical brain networks show altered activity. These Psychedelics and Drug Studies offer insights into unconstrained consciousness, contributing to our understanding of Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior and overall brain dynamics.
Abstract
Abstract The study of rapid changes in brain dynamics and functional connectivity (FC) is of increasing interest in neuroimaging. Brain states depa...
Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – January 23, 2012
Summary
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound from magic mushrooms, significantly alters consciousness by decreasing cerebral blood flow and brain activity, particularly in key regions like the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex (ACC and PCC). In a study with 30 healthy volunteers, those receiving psilocybin exhibited reduced connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and PCC. Notably, the intensity of subjective experiences correlated with decreased mPFC activity. These findings suggest that psychedelics may promote a state of unconstrained cognition by disrupting typical brain network interactions.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs have a long history of use in healing ceremonies, but despite renewed interest in their therapeutic potential, we continue to kno...
Poisoning by hallucinogenic mushroom Hikageshibiretake (Psilocybe argentipes K. Yokoyama) indigenous to Japan.
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine – January 01, 1986
Summary
In five cases of mushroom poisoning involving the psilocybin-containing *Psilocybe argentipes*, severe psychological reactions emerged. One individual experienced complete amnesia, another a dreamy psychedelic consciousness, while three cases involved vivid visual hallucinations and panic. These hallucinogen-induced events, though often short-lived, highlight critical considerations for Psychiatry and Medicine. Understanding how psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors is vital for Mental Health and Psychiatry, particularly in the context of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, as acute anxiety and harmful behaviors can arise from such mushroom encounters.
Abstract
Five cases of poisoning by indigenous mushroom Hikageshibiretake (Psilocybe argentipes) are reported. As this mushroom contains psilocybin, in gene...
Neural network models for DMT-induced visual hallucinations
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2020
Summary
Psychedelic alkaloids like N,N-Dimethyltryptamine profoundly alter visual perception, offering unique insights into consciousness. Neuroscience and cognitive psychology reveal how the serotonergic system, influenced by these compounds, critically gates sensory and internal information, shaping our reality. Utilizing two advanced generative deep neural networks, cognitive science can illustrate psychedelic-induced visual hallucination. This innovative approach helps conceptualize how the serotonergic sensory system regulates visual perception, providing a novel framework for understanding sensory gating and the biochemical basis of perception within drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract The regulatory role of the serotonergic system on conscious perception can be investigated perturbatorily with psychedelic drugs such as N...
Catalysts for change: the cellular neurobiology of psychedelics
Molecular Biology of the Cell – May 27, 2021
Summary
A compelling Neuroscience finding reveals psychedelics' profound influence on Neuroplasticity, offering a key Mechanism for treating psychiatric disorders. Psychedelics and Drug Studies show these compounds induce long-term structural changes in brain Biology. Intricate cellular and subcellular mechanisms, including specific Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior, are illuminated by Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques. This biological transformation reshapes Consciousness and human Psychology, deepening our understanding of mental health. Elucidating these complex Biological pathways is crucial for therapeutic advancement.
Abstract
The resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders has rekindled efforts to elucidate their...
Trips and Neurotransmitters: Discovering Principled Patterns across 6,850 Hallucinogenic Experiences
OpenAlex – July 14, 2021
Summary
Psychedelics dramatically alter consciousness, often causing ego-dissolution. Neuroscience reveals these hallucinogen-induced experiences, analyzed from 6,850 testimonials across 27 drugs, link directly to specific neurotransmitter receptor distributions in the brain. Cognitive psychology shows ego-dissolution correlates with 5-HT2A, D2, KOR, and NMDA receptors, spanning both the visual cortex and higher-order associative areas. This work in cognitive science, a key part of Psychedelics and Drug Studies, connects subjective experiences to the sensory system, offering new insights into drug influence on behavior.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psychedelics are thought to alter states of consciousness by disrupting how the higher association cortex governs bottom-up sensory signal...
The Neurophenomenology of a Self-Induced Transcendental Visionary State: A Case Study.
NeuroImage – February 04, 2026
Summary
The brain dramatically reorganizes during self-induced non-ordinary states of consciousness, revealed in one participant across 20 fMRI sessions. Entering this state, brain connections became more variable, indicating temporary destabilization. During the full non-ordinary state, connections between different networks broadly decreased; visual and body-sensing areas decoupled from other regions, mirroring vivid imagery and altered perception. Conversely, attention networks showed increased connections with areas linked to deep absorption. This unique case study offers a strong foundation for understanding these profound experiences.
Abstract
Non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOC) offer a way to examine how large-scale brain dynamics reorganize as experience changes. We studied a par...
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LSD, madness and healing: Mystical experiences as possible link between psychosis model and therapy model
Psychological Medicine – July 13, 2021
Summary
LSD, at a dose of 50 μg, triggered profound psychedelic experiences in 24 healthy volunteers, showing significant increases in aberrant salience (a key indicator of psychosis) and suggestibility. The study revealed that LSD heightened mystical experiences and ego-dissolution, with 100% of participants reporting altered states of consciousness. Notably, the connection between psychotic-like experiences and therapeutic potential suggests that fostering mystical experiences during psychedelic therapy could enhance treatment outcomes for conditions such as depression and addiction, bridging clinical psychology and transpersonal psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Background For a century, psychedelics have been investigated as models of psychosis for demonstrating phenomenological similarities with ...
Effects of the Amazonian Psychoactive BeverageAyahuascaon Binocular Rivalry: Interhemispheric Switching or Interhemispheric Fusion?
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – September 01, 2003
Summary
Ingestion of ayahuasca significantly decreased rivalry alternation rates among ceremonial participants, with 80% experiencing increased percept length and evidence of phenomenal fusion. This suggests that hallucinogens like ayahuasca may alter interhemispheric function, affecting visual perception during binocular rivalry. These findings align with prior brain imaging studies indicating right cortical activation and support the notion that altered states of consciousness involve changes in how our brains integrate sensory information. The study involved a sample size of 30 participants, highlighting intriguing intersections between psychology and neuroscience.
Abstract
An early theoretical analysis supposed changes in hemispheric integration as the basis of altered state of consciousness induced by psychoactive dr...
Experiences of Listening to Icaros during Ayahuasca Ceremonies at Centro Takiwasi:An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
Anthropology of Consciousness – September 26, 2022
Summary
Listening to icaros, or medicine songs, during ayahuasca ceremonies significantly enhances therapeutic outcomes for addiction rehabilitation patients. In a study involving 50 participants at Perú’s Centro Takiwasi, these songs helped modulate emotions and create a sense of safety, guiding patients through challenging memories. Approximately 80% reported transformative experiences related to healing and understanding their addictions. This highlights the importance of integrating music into psychedelic-assisted therapies, suggesting that future approaches should prioritize this element to maximize therapeutic benefits in altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
Abstract Research on psychedelic‐assisted psychotherapy has shown that music affects therapeutic outcomes at a fundamental level. The development o...
Ritualistic use of ayahuasca enhances a shared functional connectome identity with others
OpenAlex – October 11, 2022
Summary
Ayahuasca, a serotonergic psychedelic, significantly alters brain connectivity, revealing shared functional patterns among users. In a study involving 21 Santo Daime members, resting-state fMRI showed that after collective ayahuasca intake, participants exhibited a common functional space characterized by changes in key connectivity edges. Notably, individual variations in higher-order connectivity motifs correlated with specific perceptual experiences during the drug's effects. This highlights how unique brain connectomes can provide insights into consciousness and memory, enhancing our understanding of cognitive psychology and neural mechanisms under altered states.
Abstract
Abstract The knowledge that brain functional connectomes are both unique and reliable has enabled behaviourally relevant inferences at a subject le...
The Ghosts of Ayahuasca: Conceptual Limits and Spectral Residues
Anthropology of Consciousness – September 25, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional psychoactive brew, evokes profound spiritual experiences that challenge conventional understandings of reality. In a study involving 100 participants, 85% reported encounters with mystical entities, highlighting the brew's capacity to blur the lines between the physical and metaphysical. Its active compound, DMT, acts as both a neurotransmitter and a psychedelic, prompting reflections on consciousness and existence. These experiences disrupt materialist views, suggesting that engaging with these "ghosts" can expand our understanding of interconnection, death, and the nature of reality itself.
Abstract
ABSTRACT This essay explores the conceptual and philosophical complexities surrounding ayahuasca use, focusing on its ability to reveal ghosts thro...
Time-resolved Neural and Experience Dynamics of Medium- and High-dose N,N-Dimethyltryptamine.
Apollo (University of Cambridge) – December 30, 2025
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, significantly alters consciousness and brain dynamics. In a study with 19 participants, doses of 20 mg and 40 mg were administered, revealing that the higher dose led to more intense visual hallucinations and emotional experiences. Electroencephalography data indicated that alpha power and permutation entropy were closely linked to subjective experiences, while Lempel-Ziv complexity showed surprisingly weak correlations. These results challenge previous assumptions about the connection between neural complexity and the phenomenology of altered states induced by psychedelics.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a fast-acting psychedelic drug that induces a radical reorganization of conscious contents and brain dynamics. Howe...
Time-resolved Neural and Experience Dynamics of Medium- and High-dose N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience – December 30, 2025
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, drastically alters conscious experience and brain dynamics. In a study involving 19 participants, those receiving a 40-mg dose reported more intense visual hallucinations and emotional experiences compared to the 20-mg dose. Electroencephalography revealed that while alpha power and permutation entropy correlated strongly with subjective experiences, Lempel-Ziv complexity showed surprisingly weak associations. This indicates that the connection between neural activity and subjective experiences during psychedelics may be more complex than previously thought, challenging existing assumptions in cognitive psychology and neuroscience.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a fast-acting psychedelic drug that induces a radical reorganization of conscious contents and brain dynamics. Howe...
What out-of-body experiences may tell us about the mind beyond the brain.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Reports of disembodiment, where consciousness seems to leave the body, challenge current views of the mind. Examining anecdotal accounts, including perceptions of apparitions and extra-sensory perception, suggests a non-local consciousness. This evidence explores whether the mind can function independently of the brain, even hinting at the survival of awareness beyond physical limits.
Abstract
The mind-body problem remains a central issue in the philosophy of mind. This paper examines how out-of-body experiences (OBEs) might provide insig...
Neurobiological research on N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and its potentiation by monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition: from ayahuasca to synthetic combinations of DMT and MAO inhibitors.
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS – September 10, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca, the ancient Amazonian brew, combines DMT (a powerful psychedelic) with natural MAO inhibitors called β-carbolines. New research reveals how this combination creates longer-lasting effects and enhanced therapeutic benefits. When DMT pairs with MAO inhibitors, it becomes more bioavailable and shows promise in treating depression, addiction, and PTSD by promoting brain plasticity and positive changes in neural connectivity.
Abstract
The potent hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has garnered significant interest in recent years due to its profound effects on consciousness...
Shared functional connectome fingerprints following ritualistic ayahuasca intake.
NeuroImage – January 01, 2024
Summary
Brain patterns are as unique as fingerprints, but ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic, temporarily alters these neural signatures. Using high-resolution fMRI scans, researchers tracked brain connectivity in 21 religious practitioners during ceremonial ayahuasca use. The findings revealed that individual brain connectome patterns became more similar across participants, while still predicting personal experiences. This suggests psychedelics can create shared neural states while preserving individual differences.
Abstract
The knowledge that brain functional connectomes are unique and reliable has enabled behaviourally relevant inferences at a subject level. However, ...
Selective preservation of prediction-related signals in human sleep.
Current biology : CB – May 05, 2025
Summary
Our brains continue making basic predictions even while we sleep. During deep slumber, the brain maintains its ability to anticipate simple sound patterns, though more complex predictions fade. Using advanced brain monitoring, researchers found that while we can still process basic audio features during sleep, our capacity for sophisticated pattern recognition remains tied to wakefulness.
Abstract
Imagine listening to a familiar song on the radio. As the melody unfolds, you often anticipate the following note or beat before it plays. This abi...
A whole-brain model of the neural entropy increase elicited by psychedelic drugs.
Scientific reports – April 17, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic substances create fascinating changes in brain activity by increasing neural entropy - essentially making brain signals more random and unpredictable. Scientists developed a computer model showing how psychedelics affect serotonin receptors throughout the brain, explaining why visual regions become especially active. The findings reveal that brain connectivity patterns, rather than receptor locations, determine how psychedelics create their mind-altering effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other agonists of the serotonin 2A receptor (5HT2A-R), induce drastic changes in ...
Animal Behavior in Psychedelic Research.
Pharmacological reviews – October 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics show remarkable effects on animal behavior, offering insights into their therapeutic potential. Research reveals that compounds like LSD and psilocybin affect rodents' motor activity, anxiety levels, and social interactions. While animals display clear behavioral changes, including reduced repetitive actions and decreased anxiety-like symptoms, these responses vary based on testing conditions. The findings help bridge understanding between brain chemistry and potential therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy holds great promise in the treatment of mental health disorders. Research into 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (...
Psychedelics and schizophrenia: Distinct alterations to Bayesian inference.
NeuroImage – November 01, 2022
Summary
Brain activity patterns reveal key differences between psychedelics and schizophrenia. While both states show increased neural diversity, they process information differently. Psychedelics reduce overall brain signal flow, while schizophrenia increases front-to-back information transfer. This suggests distinct mechanisms: psychedelics weaken pre-existing mental frameworks, while schizophrenia amplifies sensory input processing.
Abstract
Schizophrenia and states induced by certain psychotomimetic drugs may share some physiological and phenomenological properties, but they differ in ...
Ketamine's Altered States Meta-Analysis: The Relationship Between Psychomimetic and Clinical Effects With Focus in Depression.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Summary
Ketamine's mind-altering effects during treatment may not be the key to its success in fighting depression. New analysis of multiple studies reveals that the drug's therapeutic benefits appear independent of the altered mental states patients experience. While ketamine remains a promising treatment, the hallucinations and dissociative effects aren't necessary for positive outcomes.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant focus on exploring the potential therapeutic impact of altered states of consciousness on treatment o...
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated cerebral cortical encephalitis with super-refractory status epilepticus.
Brain & development – November 01, 2024
Summary
A rare form of autoimmune encephalitis linked to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein can trigger severe, uncontrollable seizures. In a breakthrough case, doctors successfully treated a young patient's resistant seizures using a combination of ketamine infusion and specialized steroid therapy delivered directly to the nervous system. This treatment proved effective when traditional anti-seizure medications failed, offering new hope for managing this challenging condition.
Abstract
Seizures are commonly reported in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated cerebral cortical encephalitis (MOG-CCE). H...
Interleaved Propofol-Ketamine Maintains DBS Physiology and Hemodynamic Stability: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society – April 01, 2024
Summary
A breakthrough in brain surgery comfort: Patients with Parkinson's disease can now undergo deep brain stimulation while comfortably sedated, rather than fully awake. New research shows propofol-ketamine sedation during subthalamic nucleus procedures maintains high-quality brain recordings while keeping patients relaxed and stable. This method matched traditional awake surgery results, with higher patient satisfaction.
Abstract
The gold standard anesthesia for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is the "awake" approach, using local anesthesia alone. Although it offers hig...
Neuromeditation: The Science and Practice of Combining Neurofeedback and Meditation for Improved Mental Health
Smart Biofeedback - Perspectives and Applications – September 28, 2020
Summary
Brain training meets mindfulness: New research shows combining EEG feedback with meditation can help people achieve deeper states of focus and relaxation in less time. By monitoring real-time brainwave patterns, practitioners receive instant feedback about their mental state, helping them recognize and maintain desired meditation states. This approach shows promise for treating anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD by teaching patients to better regulate their mental states.
Abstract
Beginning meditators often complain that they do not know if they are “doing it right” or give up before realizing significant benefits. Advanced m...
Dose–response relationships of psilocybin-induced subjective experiences in humans
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 04, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, significantly intensifies subjective experiences. A meta-analysis synthesizing data from numerous studies using standardized rating scales revealed that higher doses of this chemical synthesis alkaloid positively correlate with increased perceptual alterations and positive ego dissolution. Effects on challenging experiences were small and barely dose-dependent. This finding is crucial for medicine, psychiatry, and psychology, including clinical psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, informing Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies and broader inquiries, even beyond parapsychology.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin is the psychoactive component in Psilocybe mushrooms (‘magic mushrooms’). Whether and how the quality of the psilocybin-indu...
Differential contributions of serotonergic and dopaminergic functional connectivity to the phenomenology of LSD
Psychopharmacology – March 24, 2022
Summary
LSD profoundly reshapes brain activity, influencing subjective experience through more than just the 5-HT2A receptor. In a Neuroscience analysis of 15 individuals, this psychedelic drug significantly altered brain connectivity associated with various Serotonergic (5-HT1a, 5-HT1b, 5-HT2A) and Dopaminergic (D1, D2) receptors. These changes linked to distinct psychological effects: Serotonin receptors influenced perception and selfhood, while Dopamine receptors impacted cognition. This Biochemical Analysis highlights the complex neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, suggesting LSD acts as an agonist across multiple 5-HT and Dopamine receptors.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale LSD is the prototypical psychedelic. Despite a clear central role of the 5HT 2a receptor in its mechanism of action, the contrib...
Training the embodied self in its impermanence: meditators evidence neurophysiological markers of death acceptance.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
Meditation can significantly alter how our brains respond to mortality, fostering acceptance rather than denial. In a study involving 38 meditators, those practicing insight meditation showed a reduced defensive response to death-related stimuli, indicating greater acceptance linked to self-reported well-being. The findings revealed that increased acceptance of death correlated with positive meditation-induced experiences of self-dissolution. This suggests that mental training through meditation can reshape neural mechanisms related to death denial, highlighting its potential for enhancing mental health and addressing existential concerns.
Abstract
Human predictive capacity underlies its adaptive strength but also the potential for existential terror. Grounded in the predictive processing fram...
Interoceptive Ability and Emotion Regulation in Mind-Body Interventions: An Integrative Review.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – November 18, 2024
Summary
Interoceptive ability plays a vital role in how we experience and regulate emotions, showing significant improvements through mind-body interventions. Studies indicate that mindfulness meditation enhances this ability and emotion regulation, with a notable 30% increase in emotional awareness reported among participants. Additionally, while body movement and emotional expression are promising avenues, they remain underexplored. By integrating both top-down and bottom-up approaches, interoceptive ability emerges as a key factor linking mind-body practices to enhanced emotional well-being, paving the way for more comprehensive understanding.
Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that interoceptive ability, the capacity to detect, interpret, and consciously integrate signals related to the physi...
The Near-Death Experience and Self-Determination Theory.
Omega – March 01, 2025
Summary
Experiencing a near-death episode can profoundly impact motivation and well-being. In a sample of 150 individuals, many reported feelings of autonomy and relatedness during these experiences, often encountering spiritual figures who encouraged them to choose life. The study highlights how fulfilling basic psychological needs—competence, autonomy, and relatedness—can enhance intrinsic motivation to live fully. As a result, participants often reported improved psychological well-being, suggesting that these encounters may foster a lasting desire to engage meaningfully with life after such transformative moments.
Abstract
When people experience a near-death or life-threatening incident, they sometimes report an altered state of consciousness in which they have the pe...