Riassunto dello studio

Fifty healthy subjects underwent a double-blind, within-subject, randomized placebo-controlled study to investigate the neuronal mechanisms underlying spiritual experiences through the use of psilocybin. Subjects received a placebo and a moderate dose of psilocybin, while EEG recordings were taken during eyes-open and eyes-closed resting states. The current source density and lagged phase synchronization of neuronal oscillations were measured and correlated with psilocybin-induced altered states of consciousness. There was a decrease in the current source density of neuronal oscillations at 1.5-20 Hz in the networks comprising the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices, and the parahippocampal regions. The psilocybin-induced intensity levels of spiritual experience and insightfulness correlated with the lagged phase synchronization of delta oscillations between the retrosplenial cortex (RSC), the parahippocampus, and the lateral orbitofrontal area.