Impaired information processing triggers altered states of consciousness.

Schizophrenia, cannabis intoxication, and cannabis psychosis produce similar distortions in time and space perception, suggesting a shared underlying dysfunction. Rather than pursuing genetic research, which has yielded disappointing results, this study examines information-theoretic explanations for these psychotic states. The authors propose that in acute psychosis, Kolmogorov entropy—involved in processing action and time—breaks down, while Shannon entropy—involved in higher-dimensional perception—increases, leading to positive symptoms and altered consciousness. Non-linear EEG analysis of Kolmogorov information could become a diagnostic tool for assessing information-processing breakdown in schizophrenia and help identify vulnerable individuals for protection against cannabis abuse.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Schizophrenia, intoxication with tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-THC), and cannabis psychosis induce characteristic time and space distortions suggesting a common psychotic dysfunction. Since genetic research into schizophrenia has led into disappointing dead ends, the present study is focusing on this phenotype. It is shown that information theory can account for the dynamical basis of higher sensorimotor information processing and consciousness under physiologic as well as pathologic conditions. If Kolmogorov entropy (inherent in the processing of action and time) breaks down in acute psychosis, it is predicted that Shannon entropy (inherent in the processing of higher dimensional perception) will increase, provoking positive symptoms and altered states of consciousness. In the search for candidate genes and the protection of vulnerable individuals from cannabis abuse, non-linear EEG analysis of Kolmogorov information could thus present us with a novel diagnostic tool to directly assess the breakdown of information processing in schizophrenia.