Swedish Researchers Use Psychedelics to Explore Brain Function and AI Development

LOS ANGELES- In a groundbreaking study at Lund University in Sweden, researchers are employing psychedelic substances, specifically acid (LSD) and ketamine, to delve into the intricate workings of the brain. This unique approach aims to pave the way for advancements in artificial intelligence.

As revealed in a press release earlier this year, the team at Lund University has developed a sophisticated technique to measure electrical signals from 128 different areas in the brains of awake rats. This significant development has garnered attention from global media outlets, including Reuters and Metro, a British tabloid.

Pär Halje, a neurophysiology researcher at Lund University and the spearhead of this study, has long been intrigued by the potential of electrical oscillations in the brain to enhance our understanding of human experiences. The journey began with Halje’s team studying rats afflicted with Parkinson’s disease. During this research, they discovered an 80 hertz oscillation in the electrical fields of the brain, closely linked to the rats’ involuntary movements.

Intrigued by the findings of a Polish researcher who observed similar waves in rats under the influence of low-dose ketamine, Halje’s team expanded their research. They noted that while ketamine-induced waves occurred in more cognitive brain regions and at a higher frequency, they raised the possibility of a connection between the phenomena observed in Parkinson’s and the psychedelic experiences.

Halje’s team has employed electrodes to simultaneously measure brain oscillations from 128 separate areas in awake rats, a first in this field of research. Remarkably, the administration of LSD and ketamine to the rats resulted in distinct wave patterns, despite these substances affecting different brain receptors.

The university elaborates that while LSD led to inhibited neuron signaling throughout the brain, ketamine had a similar effect on large neurons (pyramidal cells) and increased signaling in smaller, locally interconnected interneurons. This discrepancy in individual neuron activity led Halje to conclude that it’s not the individual neuron activity, but rather the collective behavior—this unique wave phenomenon—that correlates most strongly with the psychedelic experience.

These oscillations, according to Halje, synchronize in a peculiar manner across the brain, suggesting communication methods beyond chemical synapses. He is optimistic about the implications of this model, particularly in researching psychosis and understanding consciousness through artificial intelligence.

Halje envisions that this model could be instrumental in identifying the mechanisms behind consciousness and studying its formation. He hypothesizes that there might be a common oscillation pattern in psychosis, which until now has been elusive.

The research also touches upon the burgeoning field of AI, with Halje pondering over the nature of intelligence and consciousness. He questions whether self-awareness can emerge spontaneously or needs to be integrated intentionally.

This pioneering study at Lund University opens new avenues in neuroscience, with potential ramifications in understanding consciousness and developing AI models that mimic or comprehend human cognitive processes.