Psychedelics: effects on the human brain and physiology | Simeon Keremedchiev | TEDxVarna
TEDx Talks・2 minutes read
Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin mushrooms, have profound effects on the brain, enhancing communication between neurons and leading to perceptional changes described as a journey into the subconscious mind. Research suggests that psychedelics can have long-term positive impacts on mental health, including treating addiction and depression, with minimal harm reported compared to other substances.
Insights
- Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin mushrooms, have the potential to enhance neuronal communication in the brain by reducing default mode network activity, leading to increased synchronization and the creation of new connections.
- Research and studies suggest that psychedelics, when used in appropriate set and setting, can induce profound and potentially life-changing subjective experiences, impacting perception, emotions, and long-term mental health positively, with promising results in treating addiction and minimal reported harm compared to other substances.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
What are psychedelics?
Psychedelics are substances that alter perception and consciousness.
Related videos
Big Think
How psychedelics work, explained in under 6 minutes | Matthew Johnson
Big Think
The “heroic dose” of psychedelics, according to Johns Hopkins | Dr. Matthew Johnson
World Science Festival
Revealing the Mind: The Promise of Psychedelics
Big Think
Psychedelics: The scientific renaissance of mind-altering drugs | Sam Harris, Michael Pollan & more
Vox
How LSD and shrooms could help treat anxiety, addiction and depression
Summary
00:00
Psychedelics: Brain, Consciousness, and Potential
- The speaker, Beatrice Carpi, discusses the human brain and its functioning, emphasizing the similarity in brain operation across different individuals.
- Psychedelics are the central topic, with a focus on their potential in medicine, research, and personal development.
- The default mode network in the brain, responsible for consciousness and perception, is highlighted as a key area affected by psychedelics.
- Psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and DMT are discussed, with a specific focus on psilocybin mushrooms and their serotonin receptor agonist properties.
- Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in religious and spiritual settings, not recreationally.
- Research conducted in 2012 and 2014 showed that psilocybin reduces blood flow and neuronal activity in the default mode network, leading to enhanced communication between neurons.
- The brain under the influence of psilocybin resembles a brain in meditation, with increased neuronal communication and synchronization.
- The substance allows the brain to create new connections and pathways, enhancing overall communication and activity.
- The subjective effects of psychedelics, known as "the trip," are described as a journey into the subconscious mind, potentially life-changing and eye-opening.
- The importance of the set and setting in which psychedelics are consumed is emphasized for a safe and meaningful experience.
15:39
"Psychedelics: Spiritual, not recreational; profound impact"
- Psychedelic substances should not be approached lightly and are traditionally used in spiritual and religious settings, not for recreational purposes.
- Perceptional changes reported include feeling colors, experiencing open-and-closed-eyes visuals with complex patterns and vivid imagery, and memory recall being significantly enhanced.
- Users often report a loss of self and concept of time, along with extreme emotions ranging from love and euphoria to panic attacks and paranoia during the experience.
- Long-term effects of psychedelics include a new perspective on life, with reports of positive impacts on depression, anxiety, and addiction lasting up to 14 months after a single use.
- Psychedelics have been found to treat addiction, with substances like DMT, ayahuasca, LSD, and magic mushrooms showing promise in treating various addictions.
- Research comparing harm done by different substances places psychedelics like LSD and magic mushrooms in a separate category with minimal harm reported.
- Studies sponsored by the US government have shown that psychedelics can lead to profound spiritual experiences, with some individuals considering it the most significant event of their lives.
