Magic mushrooms temporarily “dissolve” brain network responsible for sense of self
Psilocybin reduces synchronicity within brain network responsible for reflection and sense of self.
The active ingredient in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, disrupts the brain’s default mode network, which is responsible for our sense of self. This study found that the effects of psilocybin persisted even after the experience had worn off, with changes to brain connectivity lasting for at least three weeks.
Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to monitor the brain activity of seven participants who took high doses of either psilocybin or Ritalin. The results showed that psilocybin led to a significant drop in synchronicity within the default mode network, which is responsible for self-reflection and daydreaming.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Joshua Siegel, suggests that this desynchronization may be the reason why psilocybin is a promising treatment for depression. By putting the brain in a more adaptable state, psilocybin might allow for long-term changes in cognition and potentially help people with depression regain healthier brain connectivity.
The drug’s effects are context-dependent, however, and the researchers found that the desynchronization declined when participants were asked to perform a simple task, suggesting that external stimuli can influence the psychedelic experience.+
+Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/magic-mushrooms-temporarily-dissolve-brain-network-responsible-for-sense-of-self