An introduction to psychedelic neuroscience.
Tanya Calvey, Fleur M Howells
Progress in Brain Research 2018 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.09.013 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Microdosing |
| Keywords | Combination psychedelic therapy Consciousness Epigenetics Meg Neurobiology Neuromodulators Psychedelic medicine Psychosis FMRI Qeeg |
| Key findings | Psychedelics induce long-lasting neurobiological changes through activation of multiple neuromodulatory systems and epigenetic mechanisms, supporting their traditional therapeutic use. |
Abstract
This chapter is an introduction to the volume "Psychedelic Neuroscience" of Elsevier's Progress in Brain Research addressing the neurobiological mechanisms of psychedelic drugs, the resulting changes in brain activity and integration of traditional viewpoints. As the field is relatively new, there are discrepancies in the literature related to classification, composition and effects of the various psychedelics. Currently, psychedelics are grouped according to their neuro-receptor affinities into classic and atypical psychedelics, each with individual treatment potentials and abilities to elicit potent acute experiences and long-lasting changes in neurobiology through concurrent activation of several neuromodulatory systems. There is disparity in psychedelic brain imaging studies, delineating what is neural activity and hemodynamic needs further investigation for us to understand the brain "state" changes that are apparent. The psychedelic brain "state" is often compared to acute psychosis and we review the psychedelic animal models of psychosis and human brain imaging studies and contrast these to psychosis. The term "psychedelic" means mind-revealing and psychedelics have exceptional anti-amnesic effects and are able to "make conscious" that which was previously unconscious through changes in brain "state," but also there is growing evidence which demonstrates the role of epigenetic mechanisms. This supports traditional therapeutic use of psychedelics to heal ancestral trauma. Details of these mechanisms are provided along with suggestions for further research.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on microdosing, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big physics, small doses: the use of AMS and PET in human microdosing of development drugs | 2003 | Review | |
| Phase 0/microdosing approaches: time for mainstream application in drug development? | 2020 | Review | |
| Microdosing and drug development: past, present and future | 2013 | Review | |
| Microdosing and Other Phase 0 Clinical Trials: Facilitating Translation in Drug Development | 2016 | Review | |
| Expectancy Effects in Psychedelic Trials. | 2024 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 38
- The therapeutic potential of psilocybin: a systematic review Expert Opinion on Drug Safety February 26, 2022
- Research abuses against people of colour and other vulnerable groups in early psychedelic research Journal of Medical Ethics July 12, 2021
- Psilocybin in neuropsychiatry: a review of its pharmacology, safety, and efficacy CNS Spectrums July 11, 2022
- Potential safety, benefits, and influence of the placebo effect in microdosing psychedelic drugs: A systematic review Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews October 5, 2020
- Drug–drug interactions involving classic psychedelics: A systematic review Journal of Psychopharmacology November 20, 2023
and 33 more in the library
Cites 65
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- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences April 11, 2016
- Increased Global Functional Connectivity Correlates with LSD-Induced Ego Dissolution. Current Biology April 13, 2016
and 60 more in the library