Neuroimaging & Brain MeasuresAyahuasca

The psychedelic state induced by ayahuasca modulates the activity and connectivity of the default mode network

This open-label study (n=9) investigated the effects of ayahuasca (123,2mg DMT, 32,34mg Harmine) on the functional brain connectivity of experienced users, and found a decrease in the activity of core structures of the Default Mode Network (DMN).

Authors

  • Fernanda Palhano-Fontes
  • Jamie Hallak
  • Luiz Tófoli

Published

PLOS ONE
individual Study

Abstract

Introduction

The experiences induced by psychedelics share a wide variety of subjective features, related to the complex changes in perception and cognition induced by this class of drugs. A remarkable increase in introspection is at the core of these altered states of consciousness. Self-oriented mental activity has been consistently linked to the Default Mode Network (DMN), a set of brain regions more active during rest than during the execution of a goal-directed task.

Methods

Here we used fMRI technique to inspect the DMN during the psychedelic state induced by Ayahuasca in ten experienced subjects. Ayahuasca is a potion traditionally used by Amazonian Amerindians composed by a mixture of compounds that increase monoaminergic transmission. In particular, we examined whether Ayahuasca changes the activity and connectivity of the DMN and the connection between the DMN and the task-positive network (TPN).

Results

Ayahuasca caused a significant decrease in activity through most parts of the DMN, including its most consistent hubs: the Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC)/Precuneus and the medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC). Functional connectivity within the PCC/Precuneus decreased after Ayahuasca intake. No significant change was observed in the DMN-TPN orthogonality.

Discussion

Altogether, our results support the notion that the altered state of consciousness induced by Ayahuasca, like those induced by psilocybin (another serotonergic psychedelic), meditation and sleep, is linked to the modulation of the activity and the connectivity of the DMN.

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Research Summary of 'The psychedelic state induced by ayahuasca modulates the activity and connectivity of the default mode network'

Introduction

Palhano-Fontes and colleagues frame their study within growing evidence that serotonergic psychedelics produce profound alterations in perception, cognition and self-related processing. The authors note that increased introspection is a hallmark of these states and that introspective, internally oriented mental activity has been consistently linked to the Default Mode Network (DMN), a set of brain regions more active at rest than during externally directed tasks. Previous work has shown DMN modulation in a variety of altered states (sleep, meditation, sedation) and after psilocybin; the authors therefore sought to test whether ayahuasca, a brew containing DMT plus monoamine oxidase inhibitors, similarly alters DMN activity and connectivity. This study set out to examine three related questions: whether acute ayahuasca intake changes DMN activity during an active task (verbal fluency), whether resting-state functional connectivity among DMN nodes is altered, and whether the relationship (orthogonality/anti-correlation) between the DMN and the task-positive network (TPN) is affected. The authors hypothesised that, given ayahuasca’s introspective effects and parallels with psilocybin and meditation, DMN activity would be reduced and DMN connectivity altered during the psychedelic state.

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References (10)

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