Whole-brain simulations hint at the neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychedelic-induced entropy

Scientists have used advanced computer simulations to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the psychedelic experience. Their findings, published in Scientific Reports, provide insight into how psychedelic substances temporarily disrupt the functional organization of the brain, resulting in increased “perceptual bandwidth.”

“Despite the long history of human use of psychedelic drugs and non-ordinary states of consciousness, very little is known about the physiological mechanisms involved. I’ve been interested in these mechanisms since early years in university,” said study author Rubén Herzog Amunátegui, a PhD student at the University of Valparaíso and member of the Brain-Information-Complexity Lab.

“Psychedelics drugs are a chemical way to induce non-ordinary states of consciousness, so their use in research contexts represents for me a good attempt for bridging the gap between the domains of biochemistry, physiology, brain activity, and the domain of consciousness.”