New research shows a link between Salvinorin A and the DMN

[Jagube]

The Default Mode Network (DMN) is by now a familiar name in popular psychedelic circles. It’s a collection of brain areas that talk loudly to each other when we’re not doing any focussed tasks – basically when we’re daydreaming, thinking about ourselves, or conceptualising the past or future.

We know two important things about the DMN: it’s overactive in depression, and psychedelics can help to reset it. Studies have shown that classic psychedelics LSD and psilocybin can dramatically reduce the chatter of the DMN during a psychedelic experience, and allow it to re-form itself into a more stable network afterwards – correlating with decreased depressive symptoms. [..]

Now, new research has shown that Salvinorin A is also connected to the DMN. Twelve experienced psychonauts were given doses of Salvinorin A while in an MRI machine, which showed that the unique psychedelic reduced the connectivity of the DMN in a very similar way to LSD and psilocybin.

New research shows a link between Salvinorin A and the DMN

Recent research shows that the main chemical component of Salvia divinorum can affect the DMN in a similar way to LSD and psilocybin.

thepsychedelicscientist.com

Original paper: The Acute Effects of the Atypical Dissociative Hallucinogen Salvinorin A on Functional Connectivity in the Human Brain - Scientific Reports

 

[Cognitive Heart]

Incredible scientific report! Thank you for sharing. :thumb_up:

I hope researchers can reduce their limitations in light of these findings. For anyone new to the default mode network or dynamical functions, start here: Dynamic functional connectivity - Wikipedia

 

[Loveall]

Thanks Jagube.

One of the participants wrote a general audience press article on their experience:

What It’s Like to Smoke Salvia for Science

I was the final volunteer in the world's first brain imaging study on salvia divinorum.

www.vice.com

 

[Spiralout]

This doesn't surprise me. I imagine it's more a function of a novel shift in perception more than it is the chemical or activity that acts as a catalyst.

 

[changaforchange]

thanks for this... I am actually taking Andrew Gallimore's Psychedelics and the Brain Master Course as we speak and it is touching the DMN towards the end.

quite interesting and useful stuff.