•Neuroscience of Consciousness
Psychedelics as a treatment for disorders of consciousness
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Carhart-Harris, R. L., Scott, G.
This opinion paper (2019) proposes the use of psilocybin on patients with disorders of consciousness, since psilocybin can increase brain complexity, a possible indicator of conscious level.
Abstract
Based on its ability to increase brain complexity, a seemingly reliable index of conscious level, we propose testing the capacity of the classic psychedelic, psilocybin, to increase conscious awareness in patients with disorders of consciousness. We also confront the considerable ethical and practical challenges this proposal must address, if this hypothesis is to be directly assessed.