Tag Archives: psychedelic

Unlocking Clarity: How Psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT Mimics Meditation Brain States

Posted on by
Reply

Meditation and 5-MeO-DMT Research

Meditation and Low Doses of 5-MeO-DMT Induce Similar Effects

Janique Bros/Getty Images

A master meditator dedicated 15 years to mastering ego quieting. Brain scan studies indicate he may have utilized powerful psychedelics to attain an altered state.

“At low doses, there’s a significant overlap in brain activity between this psychedelic and non-dual meditative states,” explains Christopher Timmerman of University College London.

The realm of psychedelic research is expanding rapidly, revealing how substances like 5-MeO-DMT can enhance our understanding of consciousness and improve mental health. This compound, often sourced from North American toads, is particularly compelling due to its ability to rapidly disrupt mental processing without producing vivid visuals like other psychedelics.

Timmerman and his team conducted a detailed comparison between the altered states induced by 5-MeO-DMT and advanced meditation. They collaborated with lamas, experts in the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, amassing over 54,000 hours of meditation data.

During three laboratory sessions, lamas meditated for 30 to 60 uninterrupted minutes, followed by either a placebo or varying doses of 5-MeO-DMT (5 or 12 milligrams). Their brain activity was meticulously measured during each scenario, alongside reports on their thoughts and sense of self post-session.


Findings revealed that low doses of 5-MeO-DMT (5 milligrams) created remarkable similarities in brain patterns to those observed during meditation. Both scenarios exhibited heightened alpha activity, which is often linked to a relaxed state, and a diminished response to external stimuli compared to placebo and baseline conditions. Gamma-ray activity, which relates to cognitive engagement, was also reduced.

Timmerman noted that while both experiences fostered a calm feeling where the lama’s thoughts “came and then vanished,” the meditative state offered a deeper sense of interconnectedness and mental clarity.

In contrast, higher doses (12 milligrams) of 5-MeO-DMT escalated gamma-ray activity, leaving the lama feeling entirely detached from his surroundings and even experiencing an overwhelming bright light. He remarked, “I’m not thinking about anything,” indicating a complete disconnect from awareness of his body and environment.

The higher dosage was linked to increased neuronal firing and entropy, suggesting overwhelming sensory input compared to both placebo and baseline conditions. Conversely, lower doses resulted in decreased neuronal firing and entropy.

Lama Records Brain Activity During Meditation

Christopher Timmerman

Researchers state that these findings are pivotal in connecting neural pathways to the “collapse of the ego” and the sensation of “contentless consciousness.” However, variations in brain activity do not fully capture the lama’s subjective experiences, acknowledges Matthew Sachet from Harvard Medical School.

This study focused on a single seasoned meditator, indicating potential limitations in broader applicability, particularly given the variability in brain activity-related studies. Additionally, ensuring participants are blinded in psychedelic studies poses challenges due to the identifiable side effects of psychedelics; fortunately, lamas reported no such effects.

Nonetheless, Timmerman asserts that if future research confirms safe integration of 5-MeO-DMT enhances the benefits of advanced meditation, it may have significant implications for a wider audience. He is conducting ongoing research to explore if the drug can facilitate faster progress for newbies to meditation but strongly advises against unregulated home use, as 5-MeO-DMT remains illegal in many jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, Sachet suggests that those seeking the mental health advantages attributed to 5-MeO-DMT might find meditation a practical alternative, offering overlapping experiences without the risks of toxicity or addiction.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Setback of Halting Psychedelic Research in the 1970s for Science

Posted on by
Reply

“Before the 1970s’ war on drugs, there was a variety of promising research into therapeutic psychedelics.”

Adrià Voltà

In the early 1950s, notable figures in science, philosophy, culture, and politics—such as Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, and Graham Greene—were part of an initiative called “outsights” aimed at exploring powerful psychedelics. Although circumstances shifted, I find myself captivated by what could have been.

I’ve been delving into psychedelics in the new trip series on BBC Radio 4. I previously shared my experiences of vivid hallucinations while in a coma from Covid-19. This sparked my curiosity to understand why individuals actively pursue psychedelic experiences, navigate legal challenges, take risks at home, seek healing, and address unmet needs.

There has yet to be a global consensus banning psychedelics. Responding to inquiries by scientist Humphrey Davy, who researched suboxidized oxides in 1799, Humphrey Osmond, coining the term psychedelic in the 1950s, expressed that the study of chemically induced altered states merits rigorous and thoughtful research.

Before the U.S.-led drug war commenced in the 1970s, extensive and promising research into psychedelics as potential treatments was underway, alongside their longstanding use in sacred and ritual contexts by Indigenous cultures. Unfortunately, rather than permitting this exploration, it was driven underground, leaving many to view substances such as fungi and plants, or their lab-created variants, as otherworldly. This otherness surprised me.

Currently, psychedelic research is investigating their therapeutic potential for conditions like depression, addiction, PTSD, eating disorders, dementia, and intergenerational trauma, gaining momentum globally. Studies explore their possible use in extending the recovery window following strokes, enhancing rehabilitation, and even unraveling the nature of consciousness.

Conversations with researchers who meticulously examine substances like psilocybin and DMT in clinical environments feel worlds apart from the psychedelic narratives prevalent in popular culture. These molecules profoundly and enduringly influence our minds and perceptions. It’s perplexing how we opted to stifle a broader inquiry and obstruct our brightest minds from discovering their true potential.

Today’s discussions among researchers are as engaging as they come, yet I can’t help but linger on the “what if?” In light of the global mental health crisis, governments and health systems are eager for new treatment alternatives. Public funding is dwindling and faces threats in many areas, while large corporations driven by profit show substantial interest in the accessibility of new therapies. Changes are happening rapidly.

Examining humanity’s history with psychedelic substances reveals a narrative marked by significant self-inflicted wounds. Ultimately, the funds for the outsight initiative never materialized, leading to a drastically different chapter in history. The war on drugs has stalled research across numerous substances for decades and continues to cast a shadow today.

The narratives surrounding these substances serve as warnings. Politics should never obstruct scientific breakthroughs. In light of today’s world, it feels like an urgent moral imperative to safeguard and nurture the conditions necessary for science to thrive. The stakes are too high.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Ibogaine: A Psychedelic Drug That May Alleviate PTSD by Slowing Brain Waves

Posted on by
Reply

Ibogain, a psychedelic substance, is derived from the roots of the Iboga plant

Farmer Dods / Alamy

The psychedelic substance ibogaine has been shown to slow brain wave activity in individuals with traumatic brain injuries, potentially accounting for its effectiveness in treating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A study conducted last year revealed that ibogaine, sourced from the African Iboga plant, significantly enhanced the overall mental and physical well-being of military veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. Yet, the precise mechanisms behind these effects were previously unknown.

To investigate further, Jennifer Lismore from Stanford University and her team examined brain imaging of 30 individuals involved in the initial study. During a 5-day treatment session at a facility in Mexico, participants received a dosage of 12 milligrams of ibogaine per kilogram of body weight and participated in supportive activities like yoga, meditation, and therapy.

As part of the study, the researchers collected EEG data that recorded participants’ brain electrical activity. These scans were taken 2-3 days prior to and 3.5 days following the ibogaine treatment.

By comparing the EEG findings, Lismore and her team observed an overall deceleration in brain wave activity post-treatment, particularly in the gamma waves—the fastest brain waves—which exhibited nearly a 16% reduction in strength in the occipital region after ibogaine therapy. While gamma wave intensity saw a slight rebound after one month, levels remained significantly below those recorded prior to treatment.

Additionally, the intensity of slow theta waves rose by approximately 17% in the back of the brain and 13% at the front 3.5 days post-treatment. However, this increase lost its significance after one month.

Lismore suggests that the observed reduction in brain wave activity may clarify why ibogaine is effective for alleviating PTSD symptoms in many patients. “The deceleration of brain function has allowed patients, particularly those experiencing hyperawareness and sensitivity associated with PTSD, to find relief,” she noted. “One way to understand this slowing process is as a mitigation of the heightened distress often seen in PTSD cases.”

The temporary spike in slow theta waves could also indicate that ibogaine promotes neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself. Previous studies in animals have associated theta wave activity with brain adaptability, Lismore explains. By inducing a short-term increase in theta wave presence, ibogaine may create conditions conducive to improving mental health.

“Ibogaine essentially addresses the chaotic, restless nature of the brain, facilitating a sort of normalization,” remarked Conor Murray from the University of California, Los Angeles. “Ultimately, it instills a sense of security for participants, reassuring the brain.”

However, he cautions that these findings don’t fully reveal the mechanisms through which ibogaine effects these brain changes.

Another challenge is the absence of control measures, complicating the assessment of the influence from other treatment components, points out Lismore. Nonetheless, she asserts that these insights represent “a significant first step toward understanding why this treatment is so impactful.”

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Psychedelic drugs show promise in treating PTSD and traumatic brain injury

Posted on by
Reply

Veterans saw improvement in combat-related brain injury after taking psychedelic drugs

Shutterstock / Ground Photography

The psychedelic substance ibogaine has the potential to treat chronic disorders caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI). A single dose of this drug resulted in sustained improvements in physical and social function, cognition and mood in veterans with combat-related traumatic brain injury.

“This is the first time someone has actually been able to show that there is a neurorehabilitation effect with psychedelic drugs and that there are fairly deep signs of improvement,” he says. nolan williams at Stanford University in California.

He and his colleagues recruited 30 male veterans with traumatic brain injuries to attend a treatment facility in Mexico for five days. They were each given ibogaine, a hallucinogenic substance extracted from the iboga plant, which is native to Africa. Everyone met with a therapist before and after taking ibogaine to discuss preparation for the psychedelic experience. Participants can also participate in activities such as yoga, massage, and meditation on-site.

Participants took 12 milligrams of ibogaine per kilogram of body weight and received an intravenous infusion of magnesium to prevent heart problems associated with the drug. The researchers measured participants' disability before and after treatment on a scale of 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. At the beginning of the study, participants' average score was 30, meaning mild to moderate disability. After 4-5 days of treatment, this score dropped below 20, and after 1 month it was around 5, indicating no disability.

At least 83 percent of participants no longer met criteria for depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) one month after treatment. They also saw significant improvements in processing speed, problem solving, and working memory.

However, it is unclear whether this effect is solely due to hallucinogens. “The big problem is [that] Without a control group, it will be nearly impossible to say for sure what's going on here. ” Albert Garcia Lomu at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. He says talking to a therapist, participating in wellness activities, and even traveling may have contributed to these improvements.

But many of these variables have previously been studied as treatments for neurological diseases with little success, Williams said. He believes a series of mechanisms could explain how ibogaine can treat traumatic brain injury. For example, he says, the drug is known to increase neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to rewire.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com