Neuropharmacological modulation of the aberrant bodily self through psychedelics
Jasmine T. Ho, Katrin H. Preller, Bigna Lenggenhager
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews December 6, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Perception Cognition Multisensory integration Predictive coding Association psychology Cognitive psychology Self Coding social sciences Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 61 |
| Key points | Proposes that psychedelics may remediate aberrant perceptions of the bodily self by modulating predictive coding and functional connectivity in somatomotor and association networks. |
Abstract
As a continual source of sensory input and fundamental component of self-referential processing, the body holds an integral modulatory role in cognition. In a healthy state, predictive coding of multisensory integration promotes the construction of a coherent self. However, several psychiatric disorders comprise aberrant perceptions of the bodily self that are purported to involve discrepancies in the integration and updating of multisensory systems. Changes in functional connectivity of somatomotor and high-level association networks in these disorders could be successfully remediated through 5-HT2A receptor agonism via psychedelics. Reported alterations of bodily self-awareness during psychedelic experiences allude to a potentially central role of the bodily self. In this article, we bridge the domains of (aberrant) bodily self-awareness and psychedelics by discussing the predictive coding mechanisms underlying the bodily self and psychedelics. Furthermore, we propose that psychedelically-induced desynchronization of predictive coding might involve modulation of somatomotor, sensorimotor, and high-level association networks that could remediate aberrant perceptions of the bodily self.