Psychedelics do not always enhance cognitive flexibility: The potential role of time-varying effects on reward learning processes
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews May 30, 2026 Raquel Kosted, Manoj K. Doss, Jennifer J. Donegan et al. 1 citation
Psychedelics may enhance cognitive flexibility, but findings are mixed, with some studies showing impairment. This review proposes that acute effects of psychedelics boost learning from reward receipt, which can lead to perseveration, while post-acute effects enhance learning from reward omission, counteracting that perseveration. Different serotonin receptor subtypes (5-HT2C, 5-HT2A, 5-HT1A) may support these distinct learning processes. This hypothesis explains when psychedelics improve flexible decision-making and why insights reached under their influence can be held strongly, and it suggests strategies to reduce maladaptive belief formation.