The default mode network is altered by psychedelics from "summary" of How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
The default mode network is a network of brain regions that are active when we are at rest and not focused on the outside world. This network is associated with self-referential thoughts, mind-wandering, and rumination. It is essentially the brain's autopilot mode, operating in the background when we are not engaged in specific tasks. When the default mode network is overactive or hyperconnected, it can lead to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive thinking. Psychedelics have been found to disrupt the default mode network, leading to a decrease in its activity and connectivity. This alteration in the default mode network is believed to be a key factor in the profound effects of psychedelics on consciousness. By quieting the default mode network, psychedelics allow other parts of the brain to communicate more freely and create new connections. This can result in a dissolution of the boundaries between self and other, as well as a sense of interconnectednes...
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