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Psilocybin—Mediated Attenuation of Gamma Band Auditory Steady-State Responses (ASSR) Is Driven by the Intensity of Cognitive and Emotional Domains of Psychedelic Experience

Vojtěch Viktorin, Inga Griškova-bulanova, Aleksandras Voicikas, Dominika Dojčánová, Peter Zach, Anna Bravermanová, Veronika Andrashko, Filip Tylš, Jakub Korčák, Michaela Viktorinová, Vlastimil Koudelka, Kateřina Hájková, Martin Kuchař, Jiřı́ Horáček, Martin Brunovský, Tomáš Páleníček

Journal of Personalized Medicine June 19, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12061004 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Double-blind Peer reviewed
Sample size 20
Population Healthy volunteers
Intervention Psilocybin
Dose 0.26 mg/kg
Topics LSD Psilocybin
Keywords Audiology Hallucinogen Crossover study Placebo Cognition Ingestion Psychosis Electroencephalography Anesthesia
Citations 19
Key findings Psilocybin decreases 40 Hz auditory steady-state response phase-locking index and amplitude, with the attenuation related to cognition and affect on the Hallucinogen Rating Scale.

Abstract

Psilocybin is a classical serotoninergic psychedelic that induces cognitive disruptions similar to psychosis. Gamma activity is affected in psychosis and is tightly related to cognitive processing. The 40 Hz auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) are frequently used as indicators to test the ability to generate gamma activity. Based on previous literature, we studied the impact of psilocybin on 40 Hz ASSR in healthy volunteers. The study was double blind and placebo controlled with a crossover design. A sample of 20 healthy subjects (10M/10F) received psilocybin orally 0.26 mg/kg or placebo. Participants were measured four times in total, one time before ingestion of psilocybin/placebo and one time after ingestion, during the peak of intoxication. A series of 500 ms click trains were used for stimulation. Psilocybin induced a psychedelic effect and decreased 40 Hz ASSR phase-locking index compared to placebo. The extent of the attenuation was related to Cognition and Affect on the Hallucinogen Rating Scale. The current study shows that psilocybin lowers the synchronization level and the amplitude of 40 Hz auditory steady-state responses, which yields further support for the role of gamma oscillations in cognitive processing and its disturbance.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety 2016 Randomized controlled trial n = 51
Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial n = 29
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual... 2006 Double-blind study n = 36
Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression Selected group of patients with depression 2021 Randomized controlled trial
Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder Adults aged 21 to 75 years with major depressive disorder, not currently using... 2020 Randomized controlled trial n = 24

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