Semantic activation in LSD: evidence from picture naming
Neiloufar Family, David Vinson, Gabriella Vigliocco, Mendel Kaelen, Mark Bolstridge, David Nutt, Robin Carhart-Harris
Language Cognition and Neuroscience August 11, 2016 DOI: 10.1080/23273798.2016.1217030 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subjects experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Healthy adults |
| Intervention | Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Natural language processing Cognitive psychology Linguistics |
| Citations | 53 |
| Key findings | LSD increases the spread of semantic activation, as shown by reduced accuracy and altered error correction in a picture-naming task. |
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a classic psychedelic drug that alters cognition in a characteristic way. It has been suggested that psychedelics expand the breadth of cognition via actions on the central nervous system. Previous work has shown changes in semantic processing under psilocybin (a related psychedelic to LSD) that are consistent with an increased spread of semantic activation. The present study investigates this further using a picture-naming task and the psychedelic, LSD. Ten participants completed the task under placebo and LSD. Results revealed significant effects of LSD on accuracy and error correction that were consistent with an increased spread of semantic activation under LSD. These results are consistent with a generalised "entropic" effect on the mind. We suggest incorporating direct neuroimaging measures in future studies, and to employ more naturalistic measures of semantic processing that may enhance ecological validity.