Spotlight commentary: REBUS and the anarchic brain.
Tehseen Noorani, Ben Alderson-Day
Neuroscience of consciousness January 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niaa007 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCarhart-Harris and Friston's REBUS model applies predictive processing to explain how psychedelics alter brain function, offering a foundation for psychedelic psychiatry. The present authors commend this work but argue it underemphasizes contextual factors that shape extreme experiences and their outcomes. They also suggest that the comparisons made with certain non-psychedelic altered states miss more informative parallels elsewhere. Addressing these points would help identify the most relevant mechanisms of action in psychedelic experiences.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Keywords | Rebus Altered states Context Predictive processing |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key finding | The REBUS model's account of psychedelic action should give greater attention to contextual factors and consider alternative parallels with other altered states. |
Abstract
In 'REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Towards a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics', Carhart-Harris and Friston offer an important analysis of what the predictive processing framework has to offer our understanding of psychedelic experiences, providing an invaluable ground for psychedelic psychiatry. While applauding this, we encourage paying greater attention to contextual factors shaping extreme experiences and their sequalae, and suggest that the authors' comparisons with certain non-psychedelic altered states may overlook more informative parallels that can be drawn elsewhere. Addressing both points will prove fruitful, ultimately, in identifying the mechanisms of action of greatest interest in psychedelic experiences.