Semantic activation in LSD: evidence from picture naming
Neiloufar Family, David W 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.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging. Human participants | 2016 | Experimental study | |
| Crystal structure of an LSD-bound human serotonin receptor | 2017 | Experimental study with structural biology and molecular dynamics simulations | |
| Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: Sensitive Neuronal Units in the Midbrain Raphe Midbrain neurons containing serotonin | 1968 | Experimental study | |
| Connectome-harmonic decomposition of human brain activity reveals dynamical repertoire re-organization under LSD. Human brain | 2017 | Experimental study | |
| LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy in Patients with Terminal Cancer Cancer patients | 1973 | Experimental study | n = 60 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 40
- Unifying Theories of Psychedelic Drug Effects Frontiers in Pharmacology March 2, 2018
- Updating the dynamic framework of thought: Creativity and psychedelics. Neuroimage March 8, 2020
- Spontaneous and deliberate creative cognition during and after psilocybin exposure Translational Psychiatry April 8, 2021
- LSD Increases Primary Process Thinking via Serotonin 2A Receptor Activation Frontiers in Pharmacology November 8, 2017
- Dreams and Psychedelics: Neurophenomenological Comparison and Therapeutic Implications Current Neuropharmacology June 19, 2017
and 35 more in the library
Cites 13
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
- Safety and Efficacy of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety Associated With Life-threatening Diseases The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 4, 2014
- Homological scaffolds of brain functional networks Journal of the Royal Society, Interface October 29, 2014
- Broadband Cortical Desynchronization Underlies the Human Psychedelic State Journal of Neuroscience September 18, 2013
- Acute psychological and physiological effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled dose?effect study Psychopharmacology March 1, 2004
and 8 more in the library