Psychedelic (R)Evolution

Type Thesis

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Summary

Psilocybin mushrooms may have played a role in the origin of humanity, and consciousness-expanding medicines may contribute to the future evolution of our species. Neuroscientists from Imperial College London recently discovered that psilocybin, found in over 200 species of mushrooms worldwide, stimulates neurogenesis, particularly in the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in learning. Aside from participating in the formation of new neurons, the variety of psychedelic states of consciousness psilocybin catalyzes dissolves the brain’s default mode network, which scientists call the ego state of consciousness. Instead, a more hyperconnected brain state takes the place of the physiological configuration representative of our habitual state of consciousness. Some neural pathways that are catalyzed by psilocybin stabilize, establishing lasting effects in the individual’s physiology and consciousness. These results are in agreement with the findings of a recent study on psilocybin conducted at Johns Hopkins University, in which doctors found long-term positive changes in the participants’ personalities.