Articles
Sleep-like state during wakefulness induced by psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT in mice
bioRxiv – December 11, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics can induce unique brain states, blending wakefulness with sleep-like patterns. In a study with mice, the psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT triggered slow brain waves and pupil dilation while the animals remained active. This suggests that psychedelics may create a distinctive state that enhances creativity and learning, akin to dream experiences.
Abstract
Psychedelics lead to profound changes in subjective experience and behaviour, which are typically conceptualised in psychological terms rather than...
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Neural mechanisms of psychedelic visual imagery
medRxiv – September 07, 2022
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin can enhance visual imagery even with eyes closed. A study involving 24 participants revealed that this effect results from altered brain connectivity, specifically increased self-inhibition in visual areas and enhanced top-down feedback. These insights deepen our understanding of how psychedelics influence perception and imagination.
Abstract
Visual alterations under classic psychedelics can include rich phenomenological accounts of eyes-closed imagery. Preclinical evidence suggests agon...
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Public art as meditation on public time
Aisthesis – August 02, 2022
Summary
Public art often sparks deeper reflections on time and our experiences within it. This study highlights how temporary installations, like Prague's ArtWall, engage viewers by intertwining with the surrounding environment. By examining various temporal aspects, it reveals that these artworks can offer rich, meaningful interactions beyond mere physical presence.
Abstract
In this paper, we draw attention to temporal aspects of works of art displayed, performed, or held in public spaces, generally designated as public...
The influence of ceremonial settings on mystical and challenging experiences occasioned by ayahuasca: A survey among ritualistic and religious ayahuasca users
Frontiers in Psychology – July 15, 2022
Summary
The setting in which ayahuasca is consumed significantly impacts users' experiences. A survey of 2,751 participants revealed that a well-designed environment can lessen challenging experiences and enhance mystical ones. Key factors like social context and comfort play crucial roles, informing better ritual design for positive outcomes.
Abstract
Recent studies have recognized the importance of non-pharmacological factors such as setting to induce or promote mystical experiences or challengi...
The Use of Complementary Medicine During Childbearing Years: A Multi-Country Study of Women From the Middle East
Global Qualitative Nursing Research – January 10, 2022
Summary
Many women in the Middle East turn to herbal remedies for relief during menstruation and pregnancy. A study involving 70 participants from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran revealed that while herbs are widely embraced for their perceived safety and effectiveness, less common practices like acupuncture and meditation were rarely utilized. Cultural beliefs significantly influence this reliance on herbal medicine, highlighting both its popularity and the need for awareness regarding potential risks associated with self-medication.
Abstract
The prevalence of self-prescribed complementary medicine (CM) use is an area of concern across the Middle East. We conducted a descriptive qualitat...
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Wondering Awe as a Perceptive Aspect of Spirituality and Its Relation to Indicators of Wellbeing: Frequency of Perception and Underlying Triggers
Frontiers in Psychology – September 30, 2021
Summary
Experiencing moments of awe can significantly enhance emotional wellbeing and foster a sense of interconnectedness. Analyzing over 7,900 individuals revealed that older participants reported higher levels of awe and gratitude, often linked to nature, beauty, and meaningful connections. This suggests that such perceptions enrich both spiritual and everyday lives, benefiting everyone.
Abstract
Background: Spirituality is a multidimensional construct which includes religious, existentialistic, and relational issues and has different layers...
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Engineering Safer Psychedelics for Treating Addiction
Neuroscience Insights – July 20, 2021
Summary
Recent findings suggest that non-hallucinogenic compounds could effectively treat addiction by rewiring the brain without causing hallucinations. One such compound, tabernanthalog (TBG), shows lasting benefits in models of alcohol and opioid addiction. This breakthrough offers a promising new direction for addiction therapies, focusing on restoring healthy brain function.
Abstract
Addiction is best described as a disorder of maladaptive neuroplasticity involving the simultaneous strengthening of reward circuitry that drives c...
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“Deep Listening” in Buddhist Studies: Teaching and Learning during a Pandemic
Religions – June 01, 2021
Summary
Amid pandemic isolation, a unique online course on Buddhist meditation fostered community through an experiential "deep listening" assignment. This approach enhanced communication skills and student well-being, demonstrating the power of inclusive, care-focused teaching methods to create meaningful connections in learning environments.
Abstract
Co-authored between a professor and student, this essay discusses how an experiential learning assignment of “deep listening” was integrated into a...
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Asking questions of psychedelic microdosing
eLife – May 05, 2021
Summary
Research indicates that the mood and cognitive boosts linked to psychedelic microdosing may primarily stem from a placebo effect. Using a citizen science approach, participants reported enhanced well-being and focus, suggesting that belief in the treatment plays a crucial role in its perceived benefits.
Abstract
A citizen science approach to research has shown that the improvements in mood and cognition associated with psychedelic microdosing are likely due...
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Creativity in Narcolepsy Type 1: The Role of Dissociated REM Sleep Manifestations
Nature and Science of Sleep – December 17, 2020
Summary
Individuals with narcolepsy Type 1 may possess heightened creative abilities, linked to unique sleep experiences. A study involving 66 patients revealed that hypnagogic hallucinations enhance mind wandering, boosting creative performance and identity. This connection suggests that certain narcolepsy symptoms can foster impressive creativity.
Abstract
Anita D’Anselmo,1,2 Sergio Agnoli,2,3 Marco Filardi,1 Fabio Pizza,1,4 Serena Mastria,2,3 Giovanni Emanuele Corazza,2,3,5 Giuseppe Plazzi4,6 1...
Hippocampal circuits underlie improvements in self‐reported anxiety following mindfulness training
Brain and Behavior – September 18, 2020
Summary
Mindfulness training can significantly reduce self-reported anxiety by enhancing brain connectivity. A study found that participants showed improved connections in specific hippocampal areas after training, leading to better emotional regulation. This suggests mindfulness fosters resilience by optimizing how we process and recall past fears.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Mindfulness meditation has successfully been applied to cultivate skills in self‐regulation of emotion, as it employs the unb...
Cognitions in Sleep: Lucid Dreaming as an Intervention for Nightmares in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Frontiers in Psychology – August 21, 2020
Summary
Around 80% of PTSD patients experience distressing nightmares, severely impacting their lives. This study explores lucid dreaming therapy, which allows individuals to control their dreams, as a potential remedy. While it didn't improve sleep quality, it significantly reduced anxiety and depression, offering hope for those struggling with PTSD.
Abstract
About 80% of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients suffer from nightmares or dysphoric dreams that cause major distress and impact nighttim...
Lucid Dreaming and the Feeling of Being Refreshed in the Morning: A Diary Study
Clocks & Sleep – March 02, 2020
Summary
Did you know that experiencing lucid dreams might actually leave you feeling more refreshed in the morning? In a study with 149 participants, those who had lucid dreams reported a greater sense of refreshment compared to nights with non-lucid dreams. This suggests that lucid dreaming may enhance sleep quality rather than detract from it.
Abstract
REM periods with lucid dreaming show increased brain activation, especially in the prefrontal cortex, compared to REM periods without lucid dreamin...
Les téléphones portables, outils du dédoublement et de la densification du temps : un diagnostic confirmé
Tic & Société – September 23, 2019
Summary
Mobile phones have transformed how we experience time, allowing us to condense and overlap tasks more efficiently. This study reveals how they enable quicker responses and multitasking, yet also highlight the need for balance. Amid fast-paced demands, there’s a growing desire for deeper reflection and control over our own time.
Abstract
The originality of time optimization afforded by the use of mobile telephones is due to the fact that, not only is time condensed through better or...
Pre-sleep treatment with galantamine stimulates lucid dreaming: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
PLoS ONE – August 31, 2018
Summary
Imagine being aware that you're dreaming while still in the dream itself. A recent study found that taking galantamine, a medication that enhances brain activity, significantly boosts the chances of experiencing lucid dreams. Participants who took 4 mg or 8 mg reported more lucid dreams and improved dream recall, sensory richness, and emotional clarity. This method, combining galantamine with specific techniques, shows promise for those seeking to explore their dreams more vividly.
Abstract
Lucid dreaming is a remarkable state of consciousness in which one is aware of the fact that one is dreaming while continuing to dream. Based on th...
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Candyflipping and Other Combinations: Identifying Drug–Drug Combinations from an Online Forum
Frontiers in Psychiatry – April 30, 2018
Summary
Online discussions reveal intriguing patterns in how users combine novel psychoactive substances (NPS) to enhance experiences while minimizing negative effects. Analyzing two decades of posts, researchers found that users often mix sedatives with hallucinogens and stimulants. This study highlights the valuable insights social media can provide into evolving substance use trends.
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) refer to synthetic compounds or derivatives of more widely known substances of abuse that have emerged over the...
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Psychosis and the control of lucid dreaming
Frontiers in Psychology – July 04, 2016
Summary
Did you know that people with psychosis may experience lucid dreaming differently? A study found that those with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can control their dreams more than healthy individuals. However, this doesn't translate to clinical benefits. Instead, it suggests that psychosis might enhance the perception of internal experiences.
Abstract
Dreaming and psychosis share important features, such as intrinsic senseperceptions independent of external stimulation, and a general lack of crit...
Psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine modulate innate and adaptive inflammatory responses through the sigma-1 receptor of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.
PLoS ONE – June 15, 2016
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like N,N-dimethyltryptamine and its derivative 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine show promise in regulating inflammation. They inhibit harmful cytokines while promoting anti-inflammatory responses in human immune cells. This suggests their potential for treating autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation, highlighting a novel role for these substances in immune regulation.
Abstract
The orphan receptor sigma-1 (sigmar-1) is a transmembrane chaperone protein expressed in both the central nervous system and in immune cells. It ha...
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Tickle me, I think I might be dreaming! Sensory attenuation, self-other distinction, and predictive processing in lucid dreams
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience – September 22, 2014
Summary
In a fascinating exploration of lucid dreaming, participants discovered they could tickle themselves just as effectively as being tickled by others. This study reveals that during lucid dreams, the brain blurs the lines between self and other sensations, suggesting our perception of agency can shift in dream states.
Abstract
The contrast between self- and other-produced tickles, as a special case of sensory attenuation for self-produced actions, has long been a target o...