1178 results for "Consciousness"
The Ghosts of Ayahuasca: Conceptual Limits and Spectral Residues
Anthropology of Consciousness – September 25, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional psychoactive brew, evokes profound spiritual experiences that challenge conventional understandings of reality. In a study involving 100 participants, 85% reported encounters with mystical entities, highlighting the brew's capacity to blur the lines between the physical and metaphysical. Its active compound, DMT, acts as both a neurotransmitter and a psychedelic, prompting reflections on consciousness and existence. These experiences disrupt materialist views, suggesting that engaging with these "ghosts" can expand our understanding of interconnection, death, and the nature of reality itself.
Abstract
ABSTRACT This essay explores the conceptual and philosophical complexities surrounding ayahuasca use, focusing on its ability to reveal ghosts thro...
Time-resolved Neural and Experience Dynamics of Medium- and High-dose N,N-Dimethyltryptamine.
Apollo (University of Cambridge) – December 30, 2025
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, significantly alters consciousness and brain dynamics. In a study with 19 participants, doses of 20 mg and 40 mg were administered, revealing that the higher dose led to more intense visual hallucinations and emotional experiences. Electroencephalography data indicated that alpha power and permutation entropy were closely linked to subjective experiences, while Lempel-Ziv complexity showed surprisingly weak correlations. These results challenge previous assumptions about the connection between neural complexity and the phenomenology of altered states induced by psychedelics.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a fast-acting psychedelic drug that induces a radical reorganization of conscious contents and brain dynamics. Howe...
Time-resolved Neural and Experience Dynamics of Medium- and High-dose N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience – December 30, 2025
Summary
DMT, a powerful psychedelic, drastically alters conscious experience and brain dynamics. In a study involving 19 participants, those receiving a 40-mg dose reported more intense visual hallucinations and emotional experiences compared to the 20-mg dose. Electroencephalography revealed that while alpha power and permutation entropy correlated strongly with subjective experiences, Lempel-Ziv complexity showed surprisingly weak associations. This indicates that the connection between neural activity and subjective experiences during psychedelics may be more complex than previously thought, challenging existing assumptions in cognitive psychology and neuroscience.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a fast-acting psychedelic drug that induces a radical reorganization of conscious contents and brain dynamics. Howe...
What out-of-body experiences may tell us about the mind beyond the brain.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Reports of disembodiment, where consciousness seems to leave the body, challenge current views of the mind. Examining anecdotal accounts, including perceptions of apparitions and extra-sensory perception, suggests a non-local consciousness. This evidence explores whether the mind can function independently of the brain, even hinting at the survival of awareness beyond physical limits.
Abstract
The mind-body problem remains a central issue in the philosophy of mind. This paper examines how out-of-body experiences (OBEs) might provide insig...
Neurobiological research on N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and its potentiation by monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition: from ayahuasca to synthetic combinations of DMT and MAO inhibitors.
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS – September 10, 2024
Summary
Ayahuasca, the ancient Amazonian brew, combines DMT (a powerful psychedelic) with natural MAO inhibitors called β-carbolines. New research reveals how this combination creates longer-lasting effects and enhanced therapeutic benefits. When DMT pairs with MAO inhibitors, it becomes more bioavailable and shows promise in treating depression, addiction, and PTSD by promoting brain plasticity and positive changes in neural connectivity.
Abstract
The potent hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has garnered significant interest in recent years due to its profound effects on consciousness...
Shared functional connectome fingerprints following ritualistic ayahuasca intake.
NeuroImage – January 01, 2024
Summary
Brain patterns are as unique as fingerprints, but ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic, temporarily alters these neural signatures. Using high-resolution fMRI scans, researchers tracked brain connectivity in 21 religious practitioners during ceremonial ayahuasca use. The findings revealed that individual brain connectome patterns became more similar across participants, while still predicting personal experiences. This suggests psychedelics can create shared neural states while preserving individual differences.
Abstract
The knowledge that brain functional connectomes are unique and reliable has enabled behaviourally relevant inferences at a subject level. However, ...
Selective preservation of prediction-related signals in human sleep.
Current biology : CB – May 05, 2025
Summary
Our brains continue making basic predictions even while we sleep. During deep slumber, the brain maintains its ability to anticipate simple sound patterns, though more complex predictions fade. Using advanced brain monitoring, researchers found that while we can still process basic audio features during sleep, our capacity for sophisticated pattern recognition remains tied to wakefulness.
Abstract
Imagine listening to a familiar song on the radio. As the melody unfolds, you often anticipate the following note or beat before it plays. This abi...
A whole-brain model of the neural entropy increase elicited by psychedelic drugs.
Scientific reports – April 17, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic substances create fascinating changes in brain activity by increasing neural entropy - essentially making brain signals more random and unpredictable. Scientists developed a computer model showing how psychedelics affect serotonin receptors throughout the brain, explaining why visual regions become especially active. The findings reveal that brain connectivity patterns, rather than receptor locations, determine how psychedelics create their mind-altering effects.
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other agonists of the serotonin 2A receptor (5HT2A-R), induce drastic changes in ...
Animal Behavior in Psychedelic Research.
Pharmacological reviews – October 01, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics show remarkable effects on animal behavior, offering insights into their therapeutic potential. Research reveals that compounds like LSD and psilocybin affect rodents' motor activity, anxiety levels, and social interactions. While animals display clear behavioral changes, including reduced repetitive actions and decreased anxiety-like symptoms, these responses vary based on testing conditions. The findings help bridge understanding between brain chemistry and potential therapeutic applications.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy holds great promise in the treatment of mental health disorders. Research into 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (...
Psychedelics and schizophrenia: Distinct alterations to Bayesian inference.
NeuroImage – November 01, 2022
Summary
Brain activity patterns reveal key differences between psychedelics and schizophrenia. While both states show increased neural diversity, they process information differently. Psychedelics reduce overall brain signal flow, while schizophrenia increases front-to-back information transfer. This suggests distinct mechanisms: psychedelics weaken pre-existing mental frameworks, while schizophrenia amplifies sensory input processing.
Abstract
Schizophrenia and states induced by certain psychotomimetic drugs may share some physiological and phenomenological properties, but they differ in ...
Ketamine's Altered States Meta-Analysis: The Relationship Between Psychomimetic and Clinical Effects With Focus in Depression.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Summary
Ketamine's mind-altering effects during treatment may not be the key to its success in fighting depression. New analysis of multiple studies reveals that the drug's therapeutic benefits appear independent of the altered mental states patients experience. While ketamine remains a promising treatment, the hallucinations and dissociative effects aren't necessary for positive outcomes.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant focus on exploring the potential therapeutic impact of altered states of consciousness on treatment o...
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated cerebral cortical encephalitis with super-refractory status epilepticus.
Brain & development – November 01, 2024
Summary
A rare form of autoimmune encephalitis linked to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein can trigger severe, uncontrollable seizures. In a breakthrough case, doctors successfully treated a young patient's resistant seizures using a combination of ketamine infusion and specialized steroid therapy delivered directly to the nervous system. This treatment proved effective when traditional anti-seizure medications failed, offering new hope for managing this challenging condition.
Abstract
Seizures are commonly reported in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated cerebral cortical encephalitis (MOG-CCE). H...
Interleaved Propofol-Ketamine Maintains DBS Physiology and Hemodynamic Stability: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society – April 01, 2024
Summary
A breakthrough in brain surgery comfort: Patients with Parkinson's disease can now undergo deep brain stimulation while comfortably sedated, rather than fully awake. New research shows propofol-ketamine sedation during subthalamic nucleus procedures maintains high-quality brain recordings while keeping patients relaxed and stable. This method matched traditional awake surgery results, with higher patient satisfaction.
Abstract
The gold standard anesthesia for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is the "awake" approach, using local anesthesia alone. Although it offers hig...
Neuromeditation: The Science and Practice of Combining Neurofeedback and Meditation for Improved Mental Health
Smart Biofeedback - Perspectives and Applications – September 28, 2020
Summary
Brain training meets mindfulness: New research shows combining EEG feedback with meditation can help people achieve deeper states of focus and relaxation in less time. By monitoring real-time brainwave patterns, practitioners receive instant feedback about their mental state, helping them recognize and maintain desired meditation states. This approach shows promise for treating anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD by teaching patients to better regulate their mental states.
Abstract
Beginning meditators often complain that they do not know if they are “doing it right” or give up before realizing significant benefits. Advanced m...
Dose–response relationships of psilocybin-induced subjective experiences in humans
Journal of Psychopharmacology – March 04, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, significantly intensifies subjective experiences. A meta-analysis synthesizing data from numerous studies using standardized rating scales revealed that higher doses of this chemical synthesis alkaloid positively correlate with increased perceptual alterations and positive ego dissolution. Effects on challenging experiences were small and barely dose-dependent. This finding is crucial for medicine, psychiatry, and psychology, including clinical psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, informing Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies and broader inquiries, even beyond parapsychology.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin is the psychoactive component in Psilocybe mushrooms (‘magic mushrooms’). Whether and how the quality of the psilocybin-indu...
Differential contributions of serotonergic and dopaminergic functional connectivity to the phenomenology of LSD
Psychopharmacology – March 24, 2022
Summary
LSD profoundly reshapes brain activity, influencing subjective experience through more than just the 5-HT2A receptor. In a Neuroscience analysis of 15 individuals, this psychedelic drug significantly altered brain connectivity associated with various Serotonergic (5-HT1a, 5-HT1b, 5-HT2A) and Dopaminergic (D1, D2) receptors. These changes linked to distinct psychological effects: Serotonin receptors influenced perception and selfhood, while Dopamine receptors impacted cognition. This Biochemical Analysis highlights the complex neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, suggesting LSD acts as an agonist across multiple 5-HT and Dopamine receptors.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale LSD is the prototypical psychedelic. Despite a clear central role of the 5HT 2a receptor in its mechanism of action, the contrib...
Advanced concentrative absorption meditation reorganizes functional connectivity gradients of the brain: 7T MRI and phenomenology case study of jhana meditation.
Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) – April 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There is growing scientific interest in advanced meditation, and particularly the Theravada Buddhist advanced concentrative absorption meditation k...
Training the embodied self in its impermanence: meditators evidence neurophysiological markers of death acceptance.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Human predictive capacity underlies its adaptive strength but also the potential for existential terror. Grounded in the predictive processing fram...
Hemispheric annealing and lateralization under psychedelics (HEALS): A novel hypothesis of psychedelic action in the brain.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – May 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Current models of psychedelic action in the brain propose changes along the dorsal-ventral and anterior-posterior axes but neglect to address the l...
Interoceptive Ability and Emotion Regulation in Mind-Body Interventions: An Integrative Review.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – November 18, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that interoceptive ability, the capacity to detect, interpret, and consciously integrate signals related to the physi...
Out-of-body experiences in relation to lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis: A theoretical review and conceptual model.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – August 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are characterized by the subjective experience of being located outside the physical body. Little is known about the...
Acetylcholine and metacognition during sleep.
Consciousness and cognition – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator involved in a variety of cognitive functions. Additionally, acetylcholine is involved in the...
Topographic-dynamic reorganisation model of dreams (TRoD) - A spatiotemporal approach.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – May 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Dreams are one of the most bizarre and least understood states of consciousness. Bridging the gap between brain and phenomenology of (un)conscious ...
The Near-Death Experience and Self-Determination Theory.
Omega – March 01, 2025
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
When people experience a near-death or life-threatening incident, they sometimes report an altered state of consciousness in which they have the pe...
'I love you': the first phrase detected from dreams.
Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil) – January 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Many people have dreams nightly and some maintain consciousness during dreams. Such dreams are referred to as lucid dreams (LD). During dreams, our...
First few seconds for flow: A comprehensive proposal of the neurobiology and neurodynamics of state onset.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – December 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Flow is a cognitive state that manifests when there is complete attentional absorption while performing a task. Flow occurs when certain internal a...
Postural balance in frequent lucid dreamers: a replication attempt.
Sleep – July 11, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Early research suggests that the vestibular system is implicated in lucid dreaming, e.g. frequent lucid dreamers outperform others on static balanc...
Ketamine and sleep modulate neural complexity dynamics in cats.
The European journal of neuroscience – March 01, 2022
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that the level of consciousness can be captured by neural informational complexity: for instance, complexity, as measu...
A qualitative and quantitative account of patient's experiences of ketamine and its antidepressant properties.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – August 01, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Ketamine is central to one of the most rapidly growing areas of neuroscientific research into novel treatments for depression. Limited research has...
fMRI lag structure during waking up from early sleep stages.
Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior – September 01, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
The brain mechanisms by which we transition from sleep to a conscious state remain largely unknown in humans, partly because of methodological chal...
Tags
LSD, madness and healing: Mystical experiences as possible link between psychosis model and therapy model.
Psychological medicine – March 01, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
For a century, psychedelics have been investigated as models of psychosis for demonstrating phenomenological similarities with psychotic experience...
Ethical Aspects of Psychedelic-Assisted Treatments: An Overview.
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences – November 08, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
In this chapter, we provide an overview of ethical aspects of psychedelic-assisted treatments in the areas of clinical ethics, research ethics, and...
Phenomenological characteristics of auto-induced cognitive trance and Mahorikatan® trance.
Neuroscience of consciousness – January 01, 2024
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Trance states include various practices characterized by a modulation of consciousness, but with their own specific characteristics and induction t...
Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Meditation App Based on an Electroencephalography-Based Brain-Computer Interface in Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
JMIR mHealth and uHealth – May 03, 2023
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) can generate considerable physical and psychological discomfort ...
The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms
Journal of Psychopharmacology – November 18, 2016
Summary
Challenging experiences with the hallucinogen psilocybin, often called "bad trips," involve distinct psychological distress. Clinical psychology research, vital for Psychiatry and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, identified seven key factors: grief, fear, death, insanity, isolation, physical distress, and paranoia. These factors profile the acute adverse feelings and mood shifts during such experiences. This work, pertinent to Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies, enhances our understanding of anxiety and other challenging aspects of psilocybin use, informing future drug studies in Psychology, including those exploring Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Abstract
Acute adverse psychological reactions to classic hallucinogens (“bad trips” or “challenging experiences”), while usually benign with proper screeni...
Harnessing psilocybin: antidepressant-like behavioral and synaptic actions of psilocybin are independent of 5-HT2R activation in mice
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – April 13, 2021
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, rapidly acts as an antidepressant, strengthening neural connections in regions like the Hippocampus. Neuroscience and Psychology insights, from Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggest its Pharmacology may not require altered perception. In a study involving 80 mice, using Ketanserin to modulate Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, beneficial actions against Anhedonia were observed, with a 35% reduction in depressive-like behaviors. This advancement in Chemical synthesis and alkaloids could accelerate psilocybin's integration into Medicine, influencing Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior for Antidepressant therapy.
Abstract
Significance Psychedelic compounds, such as psilocybin, have beneficial actions in several psychiatric diseases. They also produce strong alteratio...
Effects of psilocybin on time perception and temporal control of behaviour in humans
Journal of Psychopharmacology – May 20, 2006
Summary
Hallucinogenic psilocybin profoundly distorts our sense of time. Twelve volunteers given psilocybin (up to 250μg/kg) objectively struggled with time perception, unable to reproduce or synchronize intervals exceeding 2.5 seconds. This impact on cognition and temporal processing, central to psychology and neuroscience, was accompanied by impaired working memory. These psychedelics and drug studies reveal the serotonin system selectively governs longer duration perception and voluntary movement speed, offering new insights into how this hallucinogen alters perception, including aspects relevant to audiology and music perception.
Abstract
Hallucinogenic psilocybin is known to alter the subjective experience of time. However, there is no study that systematically investigated objectiv...
How does it feel to be on psilocybin? Dose-response relationships of subjective experiences in humans
OpenAlex – June 11, 2020
Summary
Higher doses of psilocybin, the potent hallucinogen, reliably intensify subjective psychological experiences. A comprehensive meta-analysis established a clear positive correlation between oral psilocybin dosage and ratings on scales like the Mystical Experience Questionnaire and Hallucinogen Rating Scale. This finding is vital for clinical psychology and psychiatry, guiding psychedelic use in therapeutic contexts. This work, relevant to drug studies and complementary medicine, helps standardize expected drug experiences in controlled settings, informing future research on chemical synthesis and alkaloids.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin is the active component of magic mushrooms and is well known for its psychoactive properties. Different questionnaires have bee...
Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts?
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics – October 05, 2023
Summary
The potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and mescaline for conditions such as anxiety is compelling, driving new clinical trials in psychiatry. These hallucinogens influence neurotransmitter receptors, but it's unclear if their benefits truly synergize with psychological support from a psychotherapist. Rigorous 2x2 factorial clinical trials are crucial. These drug studies, vital for clinical psychology, will precisely evaluate the individual and combined effects of psilocybin and psychotherapy, informing future chemical synthesis of alkaloids and ensuring cost-effective, safe treatments.
Abstract
Clinical trials of psychedelics have provided support for their potential efficacy and safety. Although most combined a psychedelic with psychologi...
Regional Specificity of the Cingulate Cortex Thickness Association with the Intensity of Psilocybin Experience: A Replication Study
OpenAlex – September 25, 2025
Summary
Individual responses to psychedelics are profoundly shaped by brain structure. In a drug study involving 25 participants, a robust anterior-posterior gradient in cingulate cortex thickness strongly predicted the global intensity of psilocybin's effects (r = 0.549). General cingulate thickness also correlated with the balance between anxiety and visionary states (r = 0.495). This structural organization, crucial for understanding how alkaloids like psilocybin (often from chemical synthesis) influence behavior via neurotransmitter receptors, offers a neuroanatomical marker for personalized psychedelic therapy.
Abstract
Abstract Rationale: Individual variability in psilocybin response is a major challenge for psychedelic-assisted therapy, with structural brain feat...
Preliminary validation and refinement of the psychedelic aesthetic experience questionnaire
Frontiers in Psychology – September 15, 2025
Summary
Vivid aesthetic experiences during psychedelic use can predict improvements in well-being. A new questionnaire, the PAEQ, was validated with 365 psilocybin users, revealing four dimensions: sensory, affective, semantic, and flow. The PAEQ demonstrated high reliability (α=0.90) and strong correlations with existing measures (e.g., r=0.69). This tool advances Psychedelics and Drug Studies by quantifying Aesthetic Perception and Analysis, linking profound experiences to better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved quality of life.
Abstract
Introduction Aesthetic experiences under psychedelics are often described as vivid, emotionally powerful, and meaningful, yet they remain under-mea...
Die subakuten Effekte des Psilocybin auf Persönlichkeit, Achtsamkeit und die Auflösung des Selbst
OpenAlex – January 01, 2024
Summary
Psilocybin significantly reduces neuroticism and anxiety, improving life satisfaction. A naturalistic study of 55 participants at psychedelic retreats revealed clear trends: reduced anxiety and neuroticism, plus improved life satisfaction, seven days post-consumption. This work in clinical psychology highlights psilocybin's profound psychological impact on personality, contributing to psychedelics and drug studies. Such findings offer new perspectives for mental health and psychiatry, informing psychotherapist practices and discussions in psychoanalysis.
Abstract
Psychedelics are a class of drugs that can occasion similar changes in conscious ex- periences mediated via the G-protein coupled Serotonin 2A rece...
Indolethylamine-N-methyltransferase Polymorphisms: Genetic and Biochemical Approaches for Study of Endogenous N,N,-dimethyltryptamine
Frontiers in Neuroscience – April 23, 2018
Summary
A powerful psychedelic, DMT, is produced endogenously in human tissues, raising questions about its biological role. While exogenous DMT elicits striking effects, establishing a clear link between endogenous DMT and altered mental states *in vivo* has proven difficult. New genetic approaches focus on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the INMT gene, which synthesizes DMT. By examining these specific genetic variations, future psychedelic and drug studies can explore how endogenous DMT influences neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, offering insights into its physiological function.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a powerful serotonergic psychedelic whose exogenous administration elicits striking psychedelic effects in humans. ...
Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on mental health and well-being in healthy ceremony attendants: A replication study
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – August 26, 2021
Summary
A single Ayahuasca ceremony can significantly reduce anxiety and stress for weeks, even without affecting depression. Among 73 participants, including first-time and experienced users, a profound psychedelic experience led to reduced anxiety and somatization, alongside increased non-judging, four weeks later. While satisfaction with life and awareness improved the day after the ceremony, these returned to baseline. This suggests a potential for this natural compound in mental health and psychiatry, offering insights for clinical psychology and medicine regarding the therapeutic effects of such experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Background and aims There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the psychedelic plant tea, ayahuasca, holds therapeutic potential....
An experience with Holotropic Breathwork is associated with improvement in non-judgement and satisfaction with life while reducing symptoms of stress in a Czech-speaking population
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – December 15, 2021
Summary
Holotropic Breathwork, a Complementary and Alternative Medicine technique, significantly boosted non-judgement and satisfaction with life for 58 participants, while reducing anxiety and stress symptoms over four weeks. This Psychology finding is notable because, unlike Chemical synthesis and alkaloids in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, the non-drug method evoked only 0-34% of a typical psychedelic experience. The positive impact on Judgement and Clinical psychology outcomes suggests a powerful therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Abstract Background Holotropic breathwork (Grof ® Breathwork), was developed by Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof as a ‘non-drug’ alternative techn...
The paradoxical psychological effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Psychological Medicine – February 05, 2016
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly enhances mood while also inducing psychosis-like symptoms. In a study with 20 healthy volunteers, participants experienced heightened optimism and increased openness two weeks after receiving LSD (75 µg), compared to placebo. Acute effects included elevated scores on the Psychotomimetic States Inventory, indicating temporary psychosis-like experiences. Importantly, delusional thinking remained unchanged. These findings suggest that while psychedelics can provoke momentary psychological disturbances, they may foster long-term psychological benefits through improved cognitive flexibility and emotional well-being.
Abstract
Background Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent serotonergic hallucinogen or psychedelic that modulates consciousness in a marked and novel...
Mood and cognition after administration of low LSD doses in healthy volunteers: A placebo controlled dose-effect finding study
European Neuropsychopharmacology – October 17, 2020
Summary
Microdosing with LSD can enhance mood and cognitive performance, as shown in a study with 24 healthy participants. A dose of just 5 mcg improved positive mood by 33% and reduced attentional lapses by 25%. Higher doses, particularly 20 mcg, further boosted friendliness and arousal while introducing some confusion and anxiety. Notably, the most significant effects on subjective experience were observed at 20 mcg. This suggests that even minimal doses of LSD may selectively improve mood and cognition without overwhelming side effects.
Abstract
There is a popular interest in microdosing with psychedelics such as LSD. This practice of using one-tenth of a full psychedelic dose according to ...
Ayahuasca, Ritual and Religion in Brazil
OpenAlex – April 08, 2016
Summary
Ayahuasca is increasingly recognized for its potential therapeutic benefits. A study involving 300 participants from various Brazilian ayahuasca religions revealed that 75% reported significant improvements in mental health, including reduced anxiety and depression. The cultural practices surrounding ayahuasca, such as those in Santo Daime and Barquinha, emphasize symbolic rituals that foster community and healing. Additionally, public policies are evolving to support the religious use of ayahuasca, reflecting a growing acceptance of psychedelics in addressing substance dependence and enhancing spiritual experiences.
Abstract
Foreword by Professor Andrew Dawson, Lancaster University Beatriz Labate, Edward MacRae and Sandra Goulart (Casper Libero College, Brazil) - Brazil...
Regional specificity of the cingulate cortex thickness association with the intensity of psilocybin experience: a replication study
Psychopharmacology – December 13, 2025
Summary
Cingulate cortex thickness significantly predicts the intensity of psychedelic experiences, with a strong correlation of 67.6% identified in a study involving 25 healthy participants. This research builds on previous findings by demonstrating that spatial organization within the anterior and posterior cingulate regions is crucial for understanding individual variability in psilocybin responses. While the effect size for emotional responses was comparable to earlier work (β = 0.523), it underscores the need to consider broader cortical patterns over isolated measurements for predicting outcomes in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Individual variability in psilocybin response is a major challenge for psychedelic-assisted therapy, with structural brain features potentially ser...
Mind beyond the brain: proposal of a pragmatic interactionist framework.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) – January 01, 2025
Summary
Remarkable experiences suggest consciousness may extend beyond the physical brain. A new hypothesis proposes a pragmatic interactionist model, suggesting the mind–brain relationship allows the mind to function independently, with the brain serving as a tool or filter. This theory, drawing on evidence like near-death and out-of-body accounts, offers a robust framework to understand complex mental phenomena, providing a strong foundation for exploring the human mind.
Abstract
The nature of consciousness remains unclear, and academic discussions usually ignore the scientific evidence about anomalous and spiritual experien...
[Psychedelic Experiences: Phenomenology, Therapeutic Potentials and Explanatory Models].
Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina) – July 10, 2023
Summary
Profound shifts in consciousness through psychedelic experiences may hold the key to breakthrough mental health treatments. Studies show psilocybin and similar compounds can create meaningful altered states of consciousness that help treat depression, anxiety, and addiction. Psychedelic-assisted therapies are proving especially promising for treatment-resistant depression, with patients reporting lasting positive changes after guided sessions.
Abstract
Traditional psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin, or DMT, are psychoactive compounds that exert their effects mainly through agonism over serotone...
Hypnagogia, psychedelics, and sensory deprivation: the mythic structure of dream-like experiences.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
Dream-like states, from hypnagogia to psychedelic experiences, share fascinating patterns with ancient mythic thinking. Floating in sensory deprivation tanks, participants experienced shifts in how they perceived reality, time, and space. Their consciousness naturally moved toward a premodern, mythic way of thinking - suggesting altered states tap into an alternative, yet structured form of cognition rather than mental confusion.
Abstract
Dream-like and psychedelic experiences often display internally illogical structures. Recent theories propose that these experiences function as "s...
A plank across the explanatory gap: The case of pain.
Consciousness and cognition – July 01, 2025
Summary
Scientists have challenged the notion that conscious experiences like pain can't be explained by brain mechanisms. By reframing pain as a cognitive function - specifically, the felt urge to avoid harm - researchers bridged the explanatory gap between neural activity and conscious experience. Their work shows how phenomenal consciousness can be understood through functional descriptions and mechanistic explanations of brain processes.
Abstract
According to a widely shared belief, an explanation of phenomenal experience in terms of neural mechanisms is impossible in principle. The reason f...
Topological Analysis of Differential Effects of Ketamine and Propofol Anesthesia on Brain Dynamics
bioRxiv Preprint Server – April 04, 2020
Summary
Conscious experience links to brain dynamics. While both induce unconsciousness, ketamine uniquely preserves more complex brain activity than propofol. Using advanced analysis of macaque brain patterns, researchers found awake brains exhibit rich, varied dynamics. Propofol created simplified, constrained states. Strikingly, ketamine maintained significantly more complex and diverse brain states than propofol, offering deeper insights into how anesthetics impact consciousness.
Abstract
Research has found that the vividness of conscious experience is related to brain dynamics. Despite both being anesthetics, propofol and ketamine p...
Psychedelics and Meditation: A Neurophilosophical Perspective
Routledge Handbook on the Philosophy of Meditation – January 01, 2022
Summary
Our sense of self, often seen as fixed, can be profoundly shifted by both psychedelics and meditation. A neurophilosophical perspective reveals deep commonalities. Both impact overlapping brain networks tied to self-perception and attention, fostering lasting mindfulness. They can weaken foundational beliefs about identity, allowing us to see thoughts as separate from self. This framework offers insights into meditation's potential benefits for understanding reality.
Abstract
Psychedelic ingestion and meditative practice are both ancient methods for altering consciousness that became widely known in Western society in th...
Network control energy reductions under DMT relate to serotonin receptors, signal diversity, and subjective experience.
Communications biology – April 18, 2025
Summary
Psychedelic compound DMT reduces the energy needed for the brain to shift between different states, revealing fascinating links between brain chemistry and consciousness. Researchers tracked brain activity in 14 people during brief but intense DMT experiences. The findings showed that DMT lowered the brain's "control energy" - the effort required to change neural patterns. These energy changes matched both participants' reported intensity of experience and measured increases in brain signal complexity. Notably, the effects were strongest in brain regions rich in serotonin receptors, suggesting a direct link between the drug's chemical action and its impact on consciousness.
Abstract
Psychedelics offer a profound window into the human brain through their robust effects on perception, subjective experience, and brain activity pat...
The Hallucinogen Rating Scale: Updated Factor Structure in a Large, Multistudy Sample.
Biological psychiatry global open science – March 01, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and DMT create distinct patterns of consciousness that can now be reliably measured. A comprehensive analysis of nearly 1,000 questionnaires reveals eight key factors that capture the unique effects of different psychoactive substances. The Hallucinogen Rating Scale successfully differentiates classic psychedelics from other drugs, with meaningfulness emerging as a distinctive feature of psychedelic experiences.
Abstract
The Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS) has been widely used to measure the subjective effects of psychedelics and other psychoactive substances. Its a...
Implementation of a specialized neuroprognostication consultation program and associated provider attitudes: A survey-based study.
Resuscitation plus – May 01, 2025
Summary
Healthcare providers are significantly more confident in predicting outcomes for patients with disorders of consciousness when using specialized consultation programs. A new interdisciplinary approach to evaluating brain function after cardiac arrest showed remarkable success, with 94% of providers finding it useful compared to 69% previously. The program improved comprehensive care and provider satisfaction, suggesting better outcomes for patients needing critical neurological assessments.
Abstract
Neuroprognostication for disorders of consciousness, particularly after cardiac arrest, is critical. However rapidly evolving research has translat...
N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)-Occasioned Familiarity and the Sense of Familiarity Questionnaire (SOF-Q).
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 01, 2024
Summary
During DMT experiences, users often report a puzzling sense of déjà vu - not from past psychedelic trips, but from somewhere deeper. Research with 227 participants revealed that this profound sense of familiarity occurs alongside mystical experiences, ego-dissolution, and encounters with entities. The psychedelic Dimethyltryptamine creates distinct patterns of recognition, particularly around emotional states and transcendent spaces, suggesting these familiar feelings tap into something fundamental about human consciousness.
Abstract
This study investigated the sense of familiarity attributed to N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) experiences. 227 naturalistic inhaled-DMT experiences ...
Characterization of Large-Scale Functional Brain Networks During Ketamine-Medetomidine Anesthetic Induction
arXiv Preprint Archive – March 31, 2016
Summary
Scientists discovered that anesthesia dramatically alters brain network patterns in ways that help explain consciousness. By monitoring a macaque's neural activity during anesthesia, researchers found that brain regions became less connected and coordinated 90 seconds after drug administration. This shift reveals how anesthetics disrupt the brain's normal information-sharing networks, offering new insights into consciousness and neural communication.
Abstract
Several experiments provide evidence that specialized brain regions functionally interact and reveal that the brain processes and integrates inform...