Lecture 23: Altered States of Consciousness

Question 1

what are 4 applications of psylocibin research?

Answer 1

1. Clinical therapy - as treatment
2. Psychopharmocology - role of NTs in perception/cognition
3. Model psychosis - to understand mechanisms
4. Consciousness - understand breadth of human experience

Question 2

Which receptor is most important for hallucinations?

Answer 2

5HT-2A

Question 3

What are the consequences of hallucinations in the corticothalamic loop?

Answer 3

i. increased excitation in the cortex

ii. increased amplitude and frequency of activity of neurons travelling between thalamus and cortex

Question 4

What are 2 findings from LSD studies?

Answer 4

1. visual imagery - correlated with increased visual cortex resting state
2. ego dissolution - correlated with reduced default mode network integrity

Question 5

What are the 3 aspects of consciousness if considered in multi-dimensional view?

Answer 5

1. perception
2. cognition/function
3. self/unity

Question 6

What are some methodological obstacles to studying meditation?

Answer 6

i. many types
ii. placebo ingredients
iii. studies using active control lead to same results