The physical basis of consciousness is a central open question in science. This work compares resting-state functional brain networks of individuals before and after ingesting the psychedelic brew Ayahuasca. Using a measure called pairwise information parity, which quantifies statistical symmetries between brain region connections across the entire network, the authors found an increase in average information parity under psychedelic influence. Notably, information parity between regions of the limbic system and frontal cortex was consistently higher for all individuals while under the influence. These findings suggest that the resemblance of statistical influences between pairs of brain region activities tends to increase under Ayahuasca, possibly as a mechanism to maintain network functional resilience.
The physical basis of consciousness remains an open question. Using complex network theory, the study compared resting-state functional brain networks of individuals before and after ingesting the psychedelic brew Ayahuasca. The researchers calculated pairwise information parity to quantify statistical symmetries between brain region connectivity across the entire network. They detected an increase in average information parity in brain networks under psychedelic influence. Notably, information parity between regions of the limbic system and frontal cortex was consistently higher for all individuals while under the influence.