Psychopharmacology
October 6, 2021
Conor H. Murray, Ilaria Tare, Claire Perry et al.
75 citations
Low doses of LSD (13 and 26 micrograms) produced broad reductions in brain wave power across multiple frequency bands during rest and dampened specific event-related potentials (P300 and N170) during a visual task in healthy adults. The drug also increased positive mood, energy, and anxiety, as well as heart rate and blood pressure, but did not cause the full perceptual or sensory changes typical of higher psychedelic doses. These neurophysiological effects resemble those seen with higher doses, suggesting that very low LSD doses might produce subtle behavioral or therapeutic effects without inducing a full psychedelic experience.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
January 1, 2023
James Glazer, Conor H. Murray, Robin Nusslock et al.
52 citations
Single low doses of LSD increase reward-related brain activity in healthy adults. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment, 18 participants received 13 μg or 26 μg of LSD or a placebo across three sessions. Brain electrical activity was recorded during a monetary incentive delay task. Compared to placebo, the 13 μg dose enhanced three event-related potential components: Reward-Positivity (RewP), Feedback-P3 (FB-P3), and Late-Positive Potential (LPP), indicating increased hedonic, motivational, and affective processing of reward feedback. The 26 μg dose also increased FB-P3 amplitudes for positive feedback. These effects were not linked to most subjective drug effects. The findings provide the first evidence that low LSD doses boost reward-related brain activity, with potential implications for treating depressive disorders.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
June 1, 2024
Conor H. Murray, Joel Frohlich, Connor J Haggarty et al.
30 citations
Neural complexity, a measure of brain signal diversity, increases after low doses of LSD (13 and 26 µg) even when volunteers do not report an altered state of consciousness. In three separate placebo-controlled experiments with 73 healthy adults, LSD dose-dependently raised neural complexity, while THC and methamphetamine did not. LSD also reduced delta and theta brain wave power, and those reductions correlated with feelings of elation. THC reduced alpha power, which was linked to altered states, and methamphetamine increased alpha power. The findings show that increased neural complexity is neither necessary nor sufficient for an altered state of consciousness, and that different drugs affect brain activity and subjective experience through distinct mechanisms.
Conscious Cogn
May 28, 2022
Conor H. Murray, Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan
20 citations
THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, produces altered states of consciousness that share features with those induced by classical psychedelics. In 25 healthy, infrequent cannabis users, oral doses of 7.5 and 15 mg THC dose-dependently increased measures of altered states, including insightfulness, mindfulness, and mind-wandering, and increased language entropy, a pattern previously reported with LSD. The findings suggest overlapping neurophysiological mechanisms between THC and psychedelics, but future work must determine whether reported increases in mindfulness or insight reflect genuine enhancement of conscious awareness or a psychotomimetic state such as delusional thinking.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
May 17, 2025
Daria Dikovskaya, Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan, Joel Frohlich et al.
2 citations
A preliminary investigation into altered states of consciousness (ASC) analyzed 300 narrative reports across 12 induction methods, including meditation, float tank, and several psychedelics. Most psychedelics (except LSD), along with salvia and ketamine, shared similar content with non-pharmacological methods. In qualitative analysis, most psychedelics except LSD were deemed both positive and authentic, with authenticity predicting positive sentiment across all methods. Latent themes charted a trajectory from baseline to metaphysical experience, and text-to-image AI illustrated the underlying structure. The findings suggest that some ASC induction methods, such as salvia, ketamine, or 5-MeO-DMT, may be characterized as 'mind-manifesting,' but not others like LSD, datura, or DPH.
Frontiers in Psychology
January 1, 2026
Conor H. Murray, Kafui Dzirasa, Dana W. Sawyer et al.
Consciousness remains one of the most enduring questions across human history, with thinkers debating its definition, mechanisms, and purpose. This review examines historical and contemporary perspectives from philosophy, science, medicine, and practice, integrating neuroscientific models, clinical applications, and contemplative methods. The authors identify common themes and persistent gaps in knowledge, highlighting opportunities for future investigation. They advance a working model of consciousness that considers how it is constructed, measured, and modified, and why it may be central to survival and human flourishing.
Neuropsychopharmacology
May 13, 2024
Conor H. Murray
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for treating psychiatric conditions, with clinical trials over the past decade demonstrating safety and efficacy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted priority review for a new drug application involving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, following a Breakthrough Therapy designation in 2017. Australia became the first country to authorize MDMA prescriptions for PTSD. Beyond PTSD, evidence from clinical trials indicates that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is safe, tolerable, and effective for alcohol use disorder, autism, and end-of-life anxiety.
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
June 1, 2022
Conor H. Murray, Zhengyi Huang, Royce Lee et al.
Adolescents aged 18-20 are more sensitive than adults aged 30-40 to the performance-impairing effects of THC, the main active component of cannabis. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 12 adolescents and 12 adults who had used THC fewer than 20 times, THC doses of 7.5 and 15 mg impaired reaction time, response accuracy, and time perception more in adolescents. THC also decreased P300 brain-wave amplitude in adolescents but not adults, indicating greater cognitive and brain-function disruption at doses that produced similar subjective intoxication and heart-rate effects in both age groups.