Meditation, Neuroplasticity, Default Mode Network & Psychedelics
Meditation, Neuroplasticity, Default Mode Network & Psychedelics
The new wave of psycho-therapeutics
[TL;DR Meditation & psychedelic trips are not so dissimilar]
Meditation, made up of components including mindfulness, has its roots in Indian religions such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. It has been clinically shown to reduce anxiety, depression, pain, and stress, and enhance feelings of peace, perception, self concept, and well being. There is ongoing research to study its physiological effects; anecdotal evidence suggests that monks can precisely control their heart rate and even their own body temperature.
Mindfulness is the act of purposely bringing one’s attention into the present moment. This skill is used in various techniques including Zen, Vipassana, and Tibetan meditation.
Vipassana is often translated as “insight”. This playlist contains a 10 day course by S. N. Goenka. Think of it as a boot camp for meditation to give anyone a jump start.
A more approachable but paid option I’ve tried and loved is Headspace.
Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change through growth and reorganization. This ability tends to decline as we age and is the highest when we are young. However, we can regain this ability through various means. It has been clinically shown to be possible through meditation and the use of mind altering substances like psychedelics, dissociatives & empathogens.
“Buddha’s Brain: Neuroplasticity and Meditation”
Default Mode Network (DNM)
The DMN is a network of interacting brain regions that are active when a person is not focused on a particular task. As the name suggests it is the habitual way our brain processes everything or, if you will, the highways of our brain. This “default network” can change but habits take effort and/or time to change. However, there seem to be shortcuts that will be discussed further below.
“Meditation leads to reduced default mode network activity beyond an active task”
New Age Psycho-Therapeutics
NSDR
Reveri
Psychedelic/Empathogen Assisted Psychotherapy
Psychedelics
A class of hallucinogenic drugs with a primary effect of triggering non-ordinary states of consciousness, known as psychedelic experiences or “trips”. They all share similarities to the endogenous serotonin molecule in our bodies. There is current research for its use in a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more.
Dissociatives
A class of hallucinogenic drugs with a primary effect of distorting perceptions of sight and sound and producing feelings of detachment from the environment and/or self. Unique in the way that they bring about dream like states and anesthesia. There is current research for its use in treatment resistant depression.
Empathogens
A class of psychoactive drugs that produce experiences of emotional communion, oneness, relatedness, emotional openness or empathy/sympathy. There is current research for its use in PTSD, especially for veterans.
