Tomas Palenicek: Effects of Psilocybin on Perception & EEG/fMRI Correlates of Psychedelic Experience

Psilocybin acts as a powerful tool in clinical research to model psychedelic experiences and their neurobiological underpinnings. Controlled studies in healthy volunteers have revealed distinct effects on perception and connectivity, showing that psilocybin increases connectivity between the default mode network and the central executive network while attenuating sensory filtering in the thalamus. Psychedelic effects demonstrated during these trials include alterations in time perception and emotional processing, specifically influencing the recognition of fearful expressions. These neurodynamic changes suggest that psilocybin triggers functional shifts within the brain. Long-term follow-up indicates that participants generally report positive personal meaning, spiritual significance, and increased well-being, highlighting the potential for integration and positive outcomes following supervised administration.