title: Psilocybin-induced spiritual experiences and insightfulness are associated with synchronization of neuronal oscillations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the last years, considerable progress has been made toward understanding the neuronal basis of consciousness by using sophisticated behavioral tasks, brain-imaging techniques, and various psychoactive drugs. Nevertheless, the neuronal mechanisms underlying some of the most intriguing states of consciousness, including spiritual experiences, remain unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate state of consciousness-related neuronal mechanisms, human subjects were given psilocybin, a naturally occurring serotonergic agonist and hallucinogen that has been used for centuries to induce spiritual experiences in religious and medical rituals.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 50 healthy human volunteers received a moderate dose of psilocybin, while high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were taken during eyes-open and eyes-closed resting states. The current source density and the lagged phase synchronization of neuronal oscillations across distributed brain regions were computed and correlated with psilocybin-induced altered states of consciousness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Psilocybin decreased the current source density of neuronal oscillations at 1.5-20 Hz within a neural network comprising the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices and the parahippocampal regions. Most intriguingly, the intensity levels of psilocybin-induced spiritual experience and insightfulness correlated with the lagged phase synchronization of delta oscillations (1.5-4 Hz) between the retrosplenial cortex, the parahippocampus, and the lateral orbitofrontal area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provide systematic evidence for the direct association of a specific spatiotemporal neuronal mechanism with spiritual experiences and enhanced insight into life and existence. The identified mechanism may constitute a pathway for modulating mental health, as spiritual experiences can promote sustained well-being and psychological resilience.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland, mikometer@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kometer
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pokorny
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seifritz
authors.forename: Franz X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Volleinweider
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D020534:Parahippocampal Gyrus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011562:Psilocybin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D011562:Psilocybin