NPR: A scientist took a psychedelic drug — and watched his own brain 'fall apart'

In this article, Dr. Nico Dosenbach, a neurologist at Washington University, shares his experience taking a high dose of psilocybin and undergoing MRI scans to explore how the substance alters brain function. His vivid experiences, including a profound loss of self and time, were part of a study involving seven participants, as reported in Nature. The study revealed that psilocybin disrupts brain networks, particularly the default mode network responsible for self-perception and time awareness, leading to increased brain plasticity. This enhanced adaptability may explain psilocybin's therapeutic potential for treating depression, addiction, and PTSD. Participants showed significant changes in brain activity, which persisted for weeks, suggesting that psychedelics could offer a new avenue for psychiatric treatment by promoting cognitive and emotional flexibility.

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