AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Mind & Matter
Psychedelics, Metaplasticity, Critical Periods, Social Learning, Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, Ketamine, Ibogaine & Neuroscience | Gül Dölen | 121
Jul 19, 2023
In a captivating discussion, Gül Dölen, a pioneering neuroscientist from Johns Hopkins University, delves into the fascinating world of psychedelics and their impact on mental health. She explains how substances like LSD and psilocybin open critical periods in brain development, enhancing social learning and plasticity. Gül contrasts these non-addictive drugs with traditional addictions, emphasizing their potential for therapeutic applications. The conversation also highlights the evolving landscape of psychiatry and the need for context in psychedelic treatments.
01:42:39
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA can potentially reopen critical periods of neuroplasticity, enhancing social learning in adulthood.
- The therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics is highly dependent on the psychological and social context in which they are administered.
Deep dives
Understanding Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences by forming new neural connections. This process manifests in two main forms: long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), which determine how well neurons communicate with one another. LTP enhances synaptic strength, allowing for improved neural communication, while LTD reduces synaptic strength, affecting memory retrieval and learning. These synaptic changes can lead to broader modifications at the level of gene expression and overall neuronal morphology, establishing the foundation for social and cognitive functions.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode