Psychedelic drug-induced hyperconnectivity in the brain helps clarify altered subjective experiences

A new study shows that the use of psilocybin, a compound found in the widely known 'magic mushrooms,' initiates a pattern of hyperconnectivity in the brain linked to the ego-modifying effects and feelings of oceanic boundlessness. The findings help explain the so-called mystical experiences people report during the use of psychedelics and are pertinent to the psychotherapeutic applications of psychedelic drugs to treat psychiatric disorders such as depression.

In one of the first brain imaging studies in psychedelic research, investigators found a specific association between the experiential, psychedelic state and whole-brain dynamic connectivity changes. While previous research has shown increases in static global brain connectivity under psychedelics, the current study shows that this state of hyperconnectivity is dynamic and its transition rate coincides with the feeling of oceanic boundlessness, a hallmark dimension of the psychedelic state.

Dr. Ramaekers adds,"Taken together, averaged and dynamic connectivity analyses suggest that psilocybin alters brain function such that the overall neurobiological pattern becomes functionally more connected, more fluid, and less modular." PhD candidate and co-author of the paper Larry Fort, University of Liège, emphasizes:"Psychedelic drugs like psilocybin are often referred to as hallucinogens both scientifically and colloquially. As such, we expected that the hallucinatory dimensions of experience would correlate the highest with psilocybin's hyperconnected pattern. However, hallucinatory experience had a strong, but weaker correlation with this pattern than ego-modifying experiences.

She concludes,"Given the resurgence in research regarding the psychotherapeutic applications of psychedelic drugs, our results are pertinent to understanding how subjective experience under psychedelics influences beneficial clinical outcomes.

Psychology Research Birth Defects Psychedelic Drugs Spirituality Illegal Drugs Animal Learning And Intelligence Mice Biology

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Review: The Point, Maldito AnimalWhat psychedelic planet will the shape-shifting trio explore next?
Source: AustinChronicle - 🏆 593. / 51 Read more »

Leading the Change: Transforming Psychedelic Healthcare Through Harm Reduction PracticesApplying harm reduction to treatment allows clinicians to meet individuals where they are and provide support to mitigate potential harm.
Source: RollingStone - 🏆 483. / 51 Read more »

In psychedelic therapy, clinician-patient bond may matter mostDrug effects have dominated the national conversation about psychedelics for medical treatment, but a new study suggests that when it comes to reducing depression with psychedelic-assisted therapy, what matters most is a strong relationship between the therapist and study participant.
Source: ScienceDaily - 🏆 452. / 53 Read more »

The longest, strangest trip: Some psychedelic drug users are stuck with unwelcome highsA rare condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder has puzzled researchers and raised alarms as psychedelics go mainstream.
Source: latimes - 🏆 11. / 82 Read more »

Psychedelic Therapy: What Meaningful Informed Consent Looks LikePsychedelic-assisted therapy is poised to move from the research setting to clinical practice, and a group of experts offer seven essential elements of informed consent for psychedelic therapy.
Source: Medscape - 🏆 386. / 55 Read more »

The Greatest Mystery of 'Titanic' Is Who Spiked the Crew's Chowder With PCPA custom image of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet set against a psychedelic-style background
Source: Collider - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »