Psychedelics, Functional Neuroimaging & the Human Brain | Joshua Siegel | 188 | Mind & Matter

This podcast explores the effects of psilocybin on the human brain, focusing on how it impacts brain networks and subjective experiences. Joshua Siegel, with expertise in systems neuroscience and psychiatry, discusses his research using precision functional mapping to study psilocybin's effects. The conversation highlights how psilocybin desynchronizes brain activity, particularly within the default mode network, correlating with reported feelings of ego dissolution and altered perceptions of space and time. The discussion also covers how engaging in tasks during a psilocybin trip can diminish the drug's effects, illustrating a "grounding" phenomenon. Additionally, the podcast touches on the challenges of placebo-controlled studies with psychedelics, considering the influence of expectation and the potential for both positive and negative biases.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction, Context

Part 2: fMRI Technology, Methodology

Part 3: The Default Mode Network (DMN)

Part 4: Research Validation, Precision Mapping

Part 5: Psilocybin Study, Findings

Part 6: Lasting Effects, Grounding

Part 7: Clinical Challenges, Future Outlook

Part 8: Conclusion, Sponsorship

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Psychedelics, Functional Neuroimaging & the Human Brain | Joshua Siegel | 188

Mind & Matter

Part 1: Introduction, Context

Mind & Matter Podcast: Exploring the Intersection of Mind, Body, and Science

The Value of Podcasts in Understanding Scientific Research

Joshua Siegel's Journey into Psychedelic Research

Part 2: fMRI Technology, Methodology

fMRI Basics: Measuring Blood Flow and Functional Connectivity

fMRI as a Systems Neuroscience Tool: Brain Networks and Disease Conditions

Potential fMRI Signal Misinterpretations: Vascular Changes and Psychedelics

Addressing fMRI Limitations: Simultaneous Measurement of Neural Activity and Blood Flow

Part 3: The Default Mode Network (DMN)

Functional Mapping and the Default Mode Network

The Default Mode Network: Brain Activity at Rest

The Default Mode Network: Defining Self and Psychiatric Illnesses

Rumination, Flow State, and Psychedelics' Impact on the Default Mode Network

Part 4: Research Validation, Precision Mapping

Carhart-Harris's Entropic Brain Hypothesis and Concerns About fMRI Confound

Addressing Concerns: Consistent Changes in Neural Activity and Blood Flow

Major Hubs of the Default Mode Network and Precision Functional Mapping

Precision Functional Mapping: Analyzing Neuroscience Within Individuals

Unveiling Nuanced Subcortical Networks with Precision Functional Mapping

Part 5: Psilocybin Study, Findings

Psilocybin Study: High-Resolution Imaging and Lasting Plasticity Effects

Tolerability and Replication of Default Mode Network Disruption

Psilocybin Desynchronizes the Human Brain: Neural Activity and Serotonin

Implications of Desynchronization: Psychedelic Experience and Plasticity

Psilocybin's Desynchronization Effect Compared to Methylphenidate

Part 6: Lasting Effects, Grounding

Lasting Effects: Connectivity Changes Between Default Mode Network and Hippocampus

Task Engagement Reduces the Effects of Psilocybin

Grounding and the Intensity of Psychedelic Experiences

Part 7: Clinical Challenges, Future Outlook

Limitations of Animal Models in Psychedelic Research

Measuring Plasticity in Humans and the Placebo Effect in Clinical Trials

The Ridiculousness of Controlling for Transformational Experiences

Setting Expectations and Functional Brain Context

Part 8: Conclusion, Sponsorship

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Psychedelics, Functional Neuroimaging & the Human Brain | Joshua Siegel | 188

Mind & Matter

Part 1: Introduction, Context

00:26Mind & Matter Podcast: Exploring the Intersection of Mind, Body, and Science

Mind & Matter Podcast: Exploring the Intersection of Mind, Body, and Science

01:56The Value of Podcasts in Understanding Scientific Research

The Value of Podcasts in Understanding Scientific Research

03:02Joshua Siegel's Journey into Psychedelic Research

Joshua Siegel's Journey into Psychedelic Research

Part 2: fMRI Technology, Methodology

05:08fMRI Basics: Measuring Blood Flow and Functional Connectivity

fMRI Basics: Measuring Blood Flow and Functional Connectivity

07:50fMRI as a Systems Neuroscience Tool: Brain Networks and Disease Conditions

fMRI as a Systems Neuroscience Tool: Brain Networks and Disease Conditions

09:50Potential fMRI Signal Misinterpretations: Vascular Changes and Psychedelics

Potential fMRI Signal Misinterpretations: Vascular Changes and Psychedelics

12:47Addressing fMRI Limitations: Simultaneous Measurement of Neural Activity and Blood Flow

Addressing fMRI Limitations: Simultaneous Measurement of Neural Activity and Blood Flow

Part 3: The Default Mode Network (DMN)

14:34Functional Mapping and the Default Mode Network

Functional Mapping and the Default Mode Network

16:41The Default Mode Network: Brain Activity at Rest

The Default Mode Network: Brain Activity at Rest

18:47The Default Mode Network: Defining Self and Psychiatric Illnesses

The Default Mode Network: Defining Self and Psychiatric Illnesses

21:24Rumination, Flow State, and Psychedelics' Impact on the Default Mode Network

Rumination, Flow State, and Psychedelics' Impact on the Default Mode Network

Part 4: Research Validation, Precision Mapping

23:33Carhart-Harris's Entropic Brain Hypothesis and Concerns About fMRI Confound

Carhart-Harris's Entropic Brain Hypothesis and Concerns About fMRI Confound

25:33Addressing Concerns: Consistent Changes in Neural Activity and Blood Flow

Addressing Concerns: Consistent Changes in Neural Activity and Blood Flow

28:11Major Hubs of the Default Mode Network and Precision Functional Mapping

Major Hubs of the Default Mode Network and Precision Functional Mapping

30:33Precision Functional Mapping: Analyzing Neuroscience Within Individuals

Precision Functional Mapping: Analyzing Neuroscience Within Individuals

33:41Unveiling Nuanced Subcortical Networks with Precision Functional Mapping

Unveiling Nuanced Subcortical Networks with Precision Functional Mapping

Part 5: Psilocybin Study, Findings

35:38Psilocybin Study: High-Resolution Imaging and Lasting Plasticity Effects

Psilocybin Study: High-Resolution Imaging and Lasting Plasticity Effects

37:40Tolerability and Replication of Default Mode Network Disruption

Tolerability and Replication of Default Mode Network Disruption

40:29Psilocybin Desynchronizes the Human Brain: Neural Activity and Serotonin

Psilocybin Desynchronizes the Human Brain: Neural Activity and Serotonin

42:36Implications of Desynchronization: Psychedelic Experience and Plasticity

Implications of Desynchronization: Psychedelic Experience and Plasticity

44:35Psilocybin's Desynchronization Effect Compared to Methylphenidate

Psilocybin's Desynchronization Effect Compared to Methylphenidate

Part 6: Lasting Effects, Grounding

46:17Lasting Effects: Connectivity Changes Between Default Mode Network and Hippocampus

Lasting Effects: Connectivity Changes Between Default Mode Network and Hippocampus

47:55Task Engagement Reduces the Effects of Psilocybin

Task Engagement Reduces the Effects of Psilocybin

51:18Grounding and the Intensity of Psychedelic Experiences

Grounding and the Intensity of Psychedelic Experiences

Part 7: Clinical Challenges, Future Outlook

54:27Limitations of Animal Models in Psychedelic Research

Limitations of Animal Models in Psychedelic Research

58:14Measuring Plasticity in Humans and the Placebo Effect in Clinical Trials

Measuring Plasticity in Humans and the Placebo Effect in Clinical Trials

1:03:24The Ridiculousness of Controlling for Transformational Experiences

The Ridiculousness of Controlling for Transformational Experiences

1:08:33Setting Expectations and Functional Brain Context

Setting Expectations and Functional Brain Context

Part 8: Conclusion, Sponsorship

1:09:49Athletic Greens Advertisement

Athletic Greens Advertisement