How LSD Dissolves the Sense of Self

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svmonk, modified 6 Years ago at 3/26/18 10:36 PM
Created 6 Years ago at 3/26/18 10:36 PM

How LSD Dissolves the Sense of Self

Posts: 400 Join Date: 8/23/14 Recent Posts
Ran across this article today. It describes a study at the University of Zurich where people were given LSD and an inhibitor, Ketanserin, which is known to block specific serotonin receptors. Then they were monitored in a MRI scanner while performing some activities with an avatar. The study found evidence that a specific neuroreceptor (5-HT2A) is involved in constructing the sense of self.
Yilun Ong, modified 6 Years ago at 3/27/18 1:35 AM
Created 6 Years ago at 3/27/18 1:35 AM

RE: How LSD Dissolves the Sense of Self

Posts: 623 Join Date: 8/7/17 Recent Posts
So basically the right neuroreceptor (5-HT2A) agonist/antagonist can make people enlightened or at least temporarily? It's time to stop meditating then! emoticon emoticon
Barry D, modified 6 Years ago at 3/27/18 9:33 AM
Created 6 Years ago at 3/27/18 9:33 AM

RE: How LSD Dissolves the Sense of Self

Posts: 70 Join Date: 7/13/15 Recent Posts
Hi 

This is interesting. I wonder wether this has implications for the use of certain anti-depressants in meditators. 

I am no expert. But some anti-depressants are 5HTA antagonists, which according to this would highten the self sense (opposite to LSD which is an agonist). 

So this  includes Trazadone and Remeron. 

Following this line. If a meditator was aiming at no-self experience, this class of drugs may hamper progress. Not sure, but its interesting...

B

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