Stanford Psychology Podcast

116 - George Mashour: How Psychedelics Can Shed Light on Consciousness

Sep 28, 2023

George Mashour, Professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, discusses the study of psychedelics, defining psychedelic drugs, comparing altered states of consciousness, and prominent theories of consciousness. He explores shared connectivity patterns in the brain under the influence of psychedelics and anesthetics. Mashour reflects on their personal journey and the importance of rigor and learning from the past in psychedelic research.

39:13

Episode guests

George Mashour

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Quick takeaways

Psychedelic drugs should not only be defined based on their molecular target, but also on the effects they have on brain networks and the subjective experiences they produce.

Studying different types of drugs, including ketamine and nitrous oxide, alongside classical psychedelics, can provide valuable insights into the neural correlates of consciousness and the role of brain activity in shaping particular experiences.

Deep dives

Definition of Psychedelic Drugs

Professor Michure discusses the ongoing debate on how psychedelic drugs should be defined. While some define them based on their molecular target, such as the 5HT2 receptor, Professor Michure argues for a more expanded perspective. He suggests a multidimensional, multi-scale framework that takes into account the effects of psychedelics on brain networks and the subjective experiences they produce.

Introduction

2min

Exploring the Definition and Effects of Psychedelic Drugs

7min

Shared Connectivity Patterns in Psychedelics and Anesthetics

23min

Embracing Evolution and the Emergence of Opportunities

3min

The Importance of Rigor and Learning from the Past in Psychedelic Research

4min

This week, Julia chats with George Mashour, the Robert B. Sweet Professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. Professor Mashour was the founding director of the University of Michigan Center for Consciousness Science and the Michigan Psychedelic Center.

In this episode, Julia and Professor Mashour discuss the reinvigorated study of psychedelics and the light it may shed on different dimensions of consciousness. Professor Mashour weighs in on the ongoing normative debate about how psychedelic drugs should be defined. Should they be defined on a molecular level by their mechanism of action in the brain or based upon the subjective experience they produce in the user?

He relates the results of an exciting recent study that uses psychedelic drugs as a tool to alter normal states of consciousness. This enables him to compare brain network dynamics in these altered states of consciousness with those dynamics in normal states of consciousness and with those in lowered states of consciousness induced by anesthesia. In some ways, this technique allows us to peer into the brain to find out what brain activity is associated with particular experiences. Professor Mashour also offers his perspective on two of the most prominent theories of consciousness and a groundbreaking ongoing adversarial collaboration evaluating them.

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Links:

Professor Mashour’s paper

Professor Mashour’s website

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