Summary The Psychedelic Scientist Who Sends Brains Back to Childhood | WIRED www.wired.com
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Psychedelic scientist Dr. Dlen explores the potential of psychedelics to reopen critical periods in the brain, with implications for understanding consciousness and treating various conditions, while also studying the effects of psychedelics on social behavior and seeking to unlock their therapeutic potential.
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Key Points
- Neuroscientist Dr. Dlen is exploring the potential of psychedelics to reopen critical periods in the brain, which could have profound implications for understanding consciousness and treating various conditions.
- Dr. Dlen has launched a scientific group called PHATHOM to study psychedelics as adjunct therapy for reopening critical periods, potentially revolutionizing treatments for addiction, social anxiety, stroke recovery, and more.
- Psychedelic therapy can put the brain in a state conducive to learning for an extended period of time after the drug has left the system, indicating potential long-lasting therapeutic benefits.
- The duration of critical periods opened by different psychedelics varies, with ketamine lasting two days, psilocybin and MDMA lasting two weeks, LSD lasting three weeks, and ibogaine lasting at least four weeks.
- The contextual details of set and setting, including a person's mental state and physical environment while on psychedelics, may determine which critical period reopens.
Summary
761 word summary
Neuroscientist Dr. Dlen is exploring the potential of psychedelics to reopen critical periods in the brain, which could have profound implications for understanding consciousness and treating various conditions. She believes that psychedelics may hold the key to unlocking the rules and boundaries that define our individuality and collective experience. By investigating how psychedelics produce their effects, researchers may gain insights into the nature of consciousness itself. Dr. Dlen has launched a scientific group called PHATHOM to study psychedelics as adjunct therapy for reopening critical periods. This could potentially revolutionize treatments for addiction, social anxiety, stroke recovery, and more. However, caution must be exercised, as psychedelics have the potential for misuse and abuse. The concept of critical periods is related to vulnerability, and it is crucial to protect children from exposure to harmful or inappropriate material. Dr. Dlen's research has garnered praise from experts in the field for providing scientifically plausible explanations for the transformative effects of psychedelic therapy. A study published in June suggests that psychedelic therapy can put the brain in a state conducive to learning for an extended period of time after the drug has left the system. This indicates the potential for continued therapeutic benefits beyond the initial trip. The duration of the critical period opened by different psychedelics varies, with ketamine lasting two days, psilocybin and MDMA lasting two weeks, LSD lasting three weeks, and ibogaine lasting at least four weeks. The effects of psychedelics on critical periods are believed to be due to changes in gene expression rather than brain regions or receptors. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved. The contextual details of set and setting, including a person's mental state and physical environment while on psychedelics, may determine which critical period reopens. Evidence suggests that psychedelic drugs can target various critical periods, potentially opening up opportunities for treating conditions such as PTSD, stroke, vision or hearing correction, language acquisition, and skill development. The drugs' effects on critical periods are not limited to social reward learning but can also impact other aspects of learning and development. Experiments with mice have shown that MDMA can reopen critical periods for social reward learning. The drug appears to prime the brain for learning and can be effective in therapeutic settings. LSD has also been found to be as effective as MDMA in reopening critical periods and restoring social reward learning in mice. The duration of critical periods and the efficacy of psychedelic drugs vary depending on the drug used and the specific context. Research has also shown that sensory deprivation is a reliable method for reopening critical periods, although it is not a practical or voluntary approach. By understanding the mechanisms involved in critical period reopening, scientists hope to develop more targeted and effective therapies. One study involving octopuses found that MDMA had similar effects on their behavior as it does in humans. The drug made the typically antisocial octopuses more sociable and interested in interacting with others. Overall, Dlen's research focuses on the reopening of critical periods and the potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics. The effects of these drugs extend beyond their acute high and can have long-lasting impacts on learning and development. Dlen is a psychedelic scientist who has a passion for neuroscience and the study of social behavior. She has a collection of octopus-themed items in her office, which she received as gifts after publishing an impressive paper. Dlen's research focuses on the effects of oxytocin and serotonin in the brain's reward system. She also studies critical periods in brain development and their potential for reopening with the use of psychedelics. Dlen believes that psychedelics can provide a unique tool for exploring consciousness and subjective reality. She is interested in cracking the code of critical periods and unlocking their therapeutic potential. Dlen's passion for science stems from her childhood fascination with the natural world. During the lockdown, she had a heightened state of consciousness and experienced a childlike wonder. She believes that if critical periods can be reopened, it could lead to significant mind-altering changes. Dlen sees the potential for psychedelics to help adults learn new skills and regain lost senses. Overall, she is dedicated to boldly following her curiosity and exploring the possibilities of neuroscience. The article discusses a psychedelic scientist who is able to induce a childlike state in the brain. The scientist's work involves the use of psychedelic substances to help patients revisit childhood memories and experiences. This research has potential implications for treating mental health disorders and trauma. The article highlights the scientist's background and motivation for this research.