The subject of this study is the methodological approach used by Aldous Huxley to study religious experience and mystical experiences. The article pays special attention to the theoretical origins of this methodology, as well as the social and cultural context of its formation. The article examines how science, philosophy, and religion of that time contributed to the formulation of Aldous...
The Objective Reduction (OR) theory suggested by Sir Roger Penrose presented a novel perspective on the measurement problem of quantum mechanics and consciousness. Subsequently, based on the assertion of anesthesiologist Dr. Hameroff, the theory proposed that the phenomenon of OR could also manifest in microtubules within neurons. This would, serve as the trigger for consciousness, thereby...
Personality disordersMarch 1, 2025Annette Löffler, Dieter Kleinböhl, Dorothee Maria Gescher et al.
Dissociation describes a state of altered consciousness in which self-related functions are no longer integrated. In its extreme form, the self is perceived as detached from the physical body, resulting in so-called out-of-body experiences (OBEs). It has been previously proposed that altered bottom-up sensory integration contributes to this kind of dissociative self-experience, which is...
One in three people with psychosis experience visions. However, little is known about what people see, and current treatments have limited benefits. To improve the understanding and treatment of visions, this study explored the phenomenology of visions in people with psychosis. Twelve people with psychosis participated in semi-structured interviews. Reflective thematic analysis was used. Three...
This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the ethical, legal and social issues in human brain organoid research, with a view to different types of research and applications: in vitro research, transplantation into non-human animals, and biocomputing. Despite the academic and societal attention on the possibility that human brain organoids may be conscious, we have identified diverse...
The pursuit of artificial consciousness requires conceptual clarity to navigate its theoretical and empirical challenges. This paper introduces a composite, multilevel, and multidimensional model of consciousness as a heuristic framework to guide research in this field. Consciousness is treated as a complex phenomenon, with distinct constituents and dimensions that can be operationalized for...
The paradox of a brain trying to study itself presents a conundrum, raising questions about self-reference, consciousness, psychiatric disorders, and the boundaries of scientific inquiry. By which means can this complex organ shift the focus of study towards itself? We aim at unpacking the intricacies of this paradox. Historically, this question has been raised by philosophers under different...
Hearing researchMarch 1, 2025Robin Guillard, Nicolas Dauman, Aurélien Cadix et al.1 citation
Tinnitus is the perception of phantom sound in the absence of a corresponding external source. Previous studies reported that the presence of tinnitus is notably absent during dreams. This study aimed at replicating previous findings regarding tinnitus-free dreams, while also gaining a deeper understanding of tinnitus manifestations during dreams and after awakening. For this observational...
As the field of consciousness science matures, the research agenda has expanded from an initial focus on the neural correlates of consciousness, to developing and testing theories of consciousness. Several theories have been put forward, each aiming to elucidate the relationship between consciousness and brain function. However, there is an ongoing, intense debate regarding whether these...
To determine the relationships between psilocybin dose, psychedelic experiences, and therapeutic outcome in treatment-resistant depression. For treatment-resistant depression, 233 participants received a single dose of 25, 10, or 1 mg of COMP360 psilocybin (a proprietary, pharmaceutical-grade synthesized psilocybin formulation, developed by the sponsor, Compass Pathfinder Ltd.) with...