Science

Different hierarchical reconfigurations in the brain by psilocybin and escitalopram for depression

August 6, 2024By

The results showed that the two pharmacological interventions created significantly different hierarchical reconfigurations of whole-brain dynamics… the main hypothesis is that psychedelics can bring about a relaxation of the precision of high-level priors or ‘beliefs’ (REBUS), allowing (anarchic) bottom–up information flow, consistent with ‘anarchic’ (that is, hierarchy-free) system dynamics. This theory is consistent with our…

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Biography/Memoir

…Oregon; 39 thousand illegal marijuana plants destroyed

August 6, 2024By

“Due to the age of the plants, Watermasters estimate that roughly 1.5 million gallons of water was saved by stopping water use at this time,” JCSO (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office), explained. “While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley,” the agency said. “IMET is…

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Spirituality

Endorsement of metaphysical idealism mediates a link between past use of psychedelics and wellbeing

August 6, 2024By

It has been proposed that psychedelics promote wellbeing through spiritual-type transformations, involving changes in metaphysical beliefs… the results indicate that Idealism specifically, not non-physicalist beliefs generally, mediate a link between the use of psychedelics and wellbeing… metaphysical beliefs are typically abstract and non-falsifiable… In terms of predictive coding neuroscience, such as the free energy principle,…

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Science

New method tracks how psychedelics affect neurons in minutes

August 6, 2024By

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a rapid, noninvasive tool to track the neurons and biomolecules activated in the brain by psychedelic drugs. The protein-based tool, which is called Ca2+-activated Split-TurboID, or CaST… This research provides scientists with a new technique that could be used to track step by step the molecular…

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Politics

How should we sell psychedelics?

August 3, 2024By

…so if we’re going to consider the retail sale of psychedelics… public conversation about how a retail psychedelic market might actually work has been all but nonexistent. So far, most debate over how to expand legal access to psychedelics has focused on segmented approaches like therapy, religious exemptions, or supervised retreat centers. The reports from Transform and RAND…

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Spirituality

Recovered alcoholics tripping on ayahuasca say they’re being ostracized at AA meetings

August 3, 2024By

Those who take psychedelics say they maintain their sobriety because the plant-based psychedelic is non-addictive and is being used medicinally or for spiritual enlightenment — not to numb out. “Members are being punished and expelled from their recovery groups and fellowships due to ignorance, judgment and misinformation in direct violation of our traditions,” Vanessa Crites,…

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Politics

Multnomah County, Portland leaders outline drug deflection plan

August 3, 2024By

“We must offer people suffering from addiction alternatives to incarceration or we will be right back where we started,” Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said at a press conference. “When the drug possession laws change on Sept. 1, [2024], it is so important for us to be ready.” In Multnomah County, only people possessing…

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