Psychedelics and the brain: chaos or order?

For years, it has been believed that psychedelics induce a state of chaos in the brain, where neural networks communicate in a disorganized manner. However, a recent study published in Nature has begun to challenge this notion. Researchers at Monash University, led by neuroscientist Devon Stoliker, conducted an experiment with 62 people who had never used psychedelics, administering psilocybin, a compound found in certain fungi, and scanning their brains to analyze neural activity.

The results of this study suggest that while EEG traces become more complex and noisy, it is not mere chaos. By utilizing artificial intelligence, scientists have been able to identify patterns in brain activity that indicate an underlying form of organization. This contradicts traditional views and raises new questions about how psychedelics affect brain connectivity and our perception of reality.

## Why it matters Understanding how psychedelics affect the brain could have significant implications for mental health. If these compounds can facilitate a beneficial reorganization of neural networks, new avenues for treating disorders like depression and anxiety could be opened. Additionally, this study could influence how science and society perceive the use of psychedelic substances.

## What we know The study has shown that under the influence of psilocybin, the brain does not become chaotic randomly but presents patterns of activity that could be interpreted as a form of order. This suggests that the effects of psychedelics are more complex than previously thought and may have therapeutic potential.

## What is still unclear Despite the findings, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these changes in brain activity. The relationship between the complexity of neural activity and its impact on individuals' subjective experiences under the influence of psychedelics is still not entirely clear.