Recent research conducted by a team from the US and Germany has indicated that even small doses of LSD could potentially have therapeutic benefits for mental health and task performance. In this study, 21 adults were given either a placebo or 13 or 26 micrograms of LSD, which are considered to be small doses that do not typically result in hallucinatory effects. The results showed that the 26-microgram dose of LSD was able to increase brain complexity by approximately 12 percent compared to the placebo, without causing any alterations in consciousness. This increase in neural complexity is believed to be linked to the positive effects of psychedelics, as high doses of these substances have been shown to enhance complexity levels. The activation of a specific type of serotonin receptor in the brain by LSD leads to more intricate patterns of brain activity, which is thought to be responsible for the therapeutic benefits achieved through increased neural complexity.
According to the entropic brain hypothesis, psychedelics such as LSD can bring about therapeutic effects by increasing neural complexity. This heightened complexity has the potential to disrupt unhelpful thought and behavior patterns, paving the way for improved mental well-being. The use of very low quantities of psychedelics, known as microdosing, has gained popularity in recent years due to anecdotal reports of its positive impact on mood, creativity, energy, and cognitive function. While the scientific evidence supporting these claims is still inconclusive, the prospect of achieving the benefits of high doses without experiencing the safety and ethical concerns associated with altered states of consciousness makes microdosing an attractive option for therapeutic purposes.
Randomized controlled trials involving healthy participants have shown that low doses of LSD can enhance well-being by reducing pain perception. During these trials, the brain activity of the participants was monitored using electroencephalography (EEG) while the effects of the drug were expected to peak. Subsequent questionnaire assessments were used to gauge whether any changes in consciousness had occurred. The results of the trials indicated that the 26-microgram dose of LSD had a significant impact on neural complexity, increasing it by approximately 12 percent compared to the placebo. However, despite this increase in complexity, participants did not report any noticeable changes in their states of consciousness, although some noted slight increases in anxiety and elation. Interestingly, the trials involving THC from cannabis showed changes in consciousness levels at high doses, but not in neural complexity, highlighting the complex relationship between these two factors.
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The researchers involved in the study emphasize the need for further research to determine whether the observed increase in neural complexity can lead to cognitive, behavioral, or therapeutic improvements. While previous studies have suggested that heightened complexity can serve as a predictor for positive outcomes in psychiatric therapy, more investigations are required to fully understand the implications of low-dose LSD administration. The authors of the study point out that the enhanced diversity of neural signaling resulting from microdoses of LSD may play a crucial role in conscious processes, with potential behavioral and therapeutic significance. Neurologist Robin Carhart-Harris of the University of California, San Francisco argues against the idea that low doses of LSD have no impact on consciousness, based on the self-reported effects of participants who took 26 micrograms of the substance.
The findings of this study shed light on the potential therapeutic benefits of microdosing LSD and the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects. While more research is needed to validate these findings and assess the long-term implications of low-dose LSD use, the results of this study offer valuable insights into the relationship between neural complexity, consciousness, and the therapeutic effects of psychedelics.
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