Ketamine, an anesthetic that blocks NMDA receptors, may offer new ways to manage Alzheimer's disease by improving communication between brain cells and reducing inflammation. The review describes how ketamine could help with depression and agitation that often accompany Alzheimer's, though these results are still preliminary and more research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
The psychedelic N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) rapidly alters consciousness by disrupting the default mode network (DMN) and increasing global brain integration. fMRI and EEG-fMRI studies show that under DMT, the brain becomes hyperconnected and less modular, with heightened activity in the thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus—regions involved in memory, emotion, and sensory salience—while cortical areas for self-referential processing lose organizing control. This temporary collapse of hierarchical brain structure is linked to vivid imagery, emotional release, and loosened self-boundaries. Rather than merely distorting perception, DMT reveals the brain's capacity to restructure consciousness, suggesting consciousness is a flexible process shaped by context, neurochemistry, and meaning.