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Psilocybin enhances insightfulness in meditation: a perspective on the global topology of brain imaging during meditation.

Berit Singer, Daniel Meling, Matthias Hirsch-Hoffmann, Lars Michels, Michael Kometer, Lukasz Smigielski, Dario Dornbierer, Erich Seifritz, Franz X. Vollenweider, Milan Scheidegger

Scientific Reports March 26, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55726-x (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 36
Population Experienced meditators
Interventions Psilocybin Placebo
Duration Five-day retreat
Topics Meditation Psilocybin
Keywords Psychedelics Consciousness Self-awareness
Citations 15
Key findings Psilocybin-induced positive derealization linked to open-monitoring meditation was associated with greater optimal transport distance between open-monitoring and resting-state brain activity, suggesting enhanced meta-awareness and insight.

Abstract

In this study, for the first time, we explored a dataset of functional magnetic resonance images collected during focused attention and open monitoring meditation before and after a five-day psilocybin-assisted meditation retreat using a recently established approach, based on the Mapper algorithm from topological data analysis. After generating subject-specific maps for two groups (psilocybin vs. placebo, 18 subjects/group) of experienced meditators, organizational principles were uncovered using graph topological tools, including the optimal transport (OT) distance, a geometrically rich measure of similarity between brain activity patterns. This revealed characteristics of the topology (i.e. shape) in space (i.e. abstract space of voxels) and time dimension of whole-brain activity patterns during different styles of meditation and psilocybin-induced alterations. Most interestingly, we found that (psilocybin-induced) positive derealization, which fosters insightfulness specifically when accompanied by enhanced open-monitoring meditation, was linked to the OT distance between open-monitoring and resting state. Our findings suggest that enhanced meta-awareness through meditation practice in experienced meditators combined with potential psilocybin-induced positive alterations in perception mediate insightfulness. Together, these findings provide a novel perspective on meditation and psychedelics that may reveal potential novel brain markers for positive synergistic effects between mindfulness practices and psilocybin.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin and meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors Healthy participants 2017 Randomized controlled trial n = 75
Psilocybin-assisted mindfulness training modulates self-consciousness and brain default mode network connectivity with lasting effects. Participants following a single administration of psilocybin during a 5-day mindfulness... 2019 Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 38
Characterization and prediction of acute and sustained response to psychedelic psilocybin in a mindfulness group retreat. Meditators participating in a 5-day mindfulness group retreat 2019 Randomized controlled trial n = 39
Clinical Interpretations of Patient Experience in a Trial of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder Participants in an ongoing trial of psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder 2018 Double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial n = 3
Meditating on psychedelics. A randomized placebo-controlled study of DMT and harmine in a mindfulness retreat Experienced meditators 2024 Randomized controlled trial n = 40

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