Neural Attunement as a Post-Acute Framework for Stabilizing Neuroplasticity
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) June 5, 2026 Mark Nicolas
Most psychedelic research focuses on brain changes during the acute drug experience, but important changes also occur afterward. Ibogaine, studied only in the post-acute period, produces lasting reductions in neural signal complexity, shifts toward slower brain waves, decreased beta and gamma power, slowed peak alpha frequency, and improved cognitive inhibition lasting weeks. Similar post-acute changes from classical psychedelics suggest a shared stabilization phase. The Neural Attunement Model formalizes this post-acute phase as an organized, low-noise window for stabilizing neuroplasticity, specifying three convergent features and testable predictions. Ibogaine's long half-life and diverse pharmacological actions may extend this window, making it an empirical anchor for a regime that may generalize to other interventions.