A complex systems perspective on psychedelic brain action.

Psychedelics reduce the functional segregation of large-scale brain networks, but findings have been largely inconsistent. A complexity-science perspective that emphasizes the distributed, interactional, and dynamic nature of brain function may explain these inconsistencies. The authors propose that psychedelics induce a mode of brain function that is more dynamically flexible, diverse, integrated, and tuned for information sharing, consistent with greater criticality. This 'meta' perspective can unify past findings and guide intuitions toward compelling mechanistic models.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Recent findings suggesting the potential transdiagnostic efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy have fostered the need to deepen our understanding of psychedelic brain action. Functional neuroimaging investigations have found that psychedelics reduce the functional segregation of large-scale brain networks. However, beyond this general trend, findings have been largely inconsistent. We argue here that a perspective based on complexity science that foregrounds the distributed, interactional, and dynamic nature of brain function may render these inconsistencies intelligible. We propose that psychedelics induce a mode of brain function that is more dynamically flexible, diverse, integrated, and tuned for information sharing, consistent with greater criticality. This 'meta' perspective has the potential to unify past findings and guide intuitions toward compelling mechanistic models.