Alterations in brain network connectivity and subjective experience induced by psychedelics: a scoping review

A scoping review of 24 articles found that four psychedelic drugs—ayahuasca, psilocybin, LSD, and the entactogen MDMA—consistently alter brain functional connectivity in healthy individuals. The drugs decreased connectivity within the default mode network and increased sensory and thalamocortical connectivity. These neurophysiological changes correlated with subjective experiences such as altered consciousness, mood elevation, and mystical experiences, suggesting a brain network basis for the drugs' psychological effects. The review provides a potential neural mechanism for psychedelics' subjective effects but notes that direct clinical evidence is needed to advance therapeutic outcomes.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Intense interest surrounds current research on psychedelics, particularly regarding their potential in treating mental health disorders. Various studies suggest a link between the subjective effects produced by psychedelics and their therapeutic efficacy. Neuroimaging evidence indicates an association of changes in brain functional connectivity with the subjective effects of psychedelics. We conducted a review focusing on psychedelics and brain functional connectivity. The review focused on four psychedelic drugs: ayahuasca, psilocybin and LSD, and the entactogen MDMA. We conducted searches in databases of MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo and Scopus from inception to Jun 2023 by keywords related to functional connectivity and psychedelics. Using the PRISMA framework, we selected 24 articles from an initial pool of 492 for analysis. This scoping review and analysis investigated the effects of psychedelics on subjective experiences and brain functional connectivity in healthy individuals. The studies quantified subjective effects through psychometric scales, revealing significant experiences of altered consciousness, mood elevation, and mystical experiences induced by psychedelics. Neuroimaging results indicated alterations in the functional connectivity of psychedelics, with consistent findings across substances of decreased connectivity within the default mode network and increased sensory and thalamocortical connectivity. Correlations between these neurophysiological changes and subjective experiences were noted, suggesting a brain network basis of the psychedelics’ neuropsychological impact. While the result of the review provides a potential neural mechanism of the subjective effects of psychedelics, direct clinical evidence is needed to advance their clinical outcomes. Our research serves as a foundation for further exploration of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.