The claustrum's proposed role in consciousness is supported by the effect and target localization of Salvia divinorum.
Frontiers in integrative neuroscience January 1, 2014 Klaus M Stiefel, Alistair Merrifield, Alex O Holcombe 59 citations
The claustrum, a brain region rich in κ-opioid receptors, may serve as a conductor for certain aspects of higher-order integration of brain activity, but not for all sensory integration. The plant Salvia divinorum and its active ingredient salvinorin A, a κ-opioid receptor agonist, produce consciousness-altering effects that disrupt certain facets of consciousness more than LSD does. This disruption likely results from κ-opioid receptor mediated inhibition of the claustrum and deep cortical layers, especially prefrontal areas. The findings support the theory that the claustrum plays a key role in consciousness, while auditory and visual signal integration relies more on other areas like parietal cortex and the pulvinar.