The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs
Carhart-Harris, R.L., Leech, R., Hellyer, P.J., Shanahan, M., Feilding, A., Tagliazucchi, E., Chialvo, D.R., Nutt, D. (2014) Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Abstract
This paper introduces the Entropic Brain Hypothesis, proposing that the quality of consciousness is indexed by the entropy of brain activity. Psychedelics increase brain entropy, temporarily shifting consciousness to a more flexible, less constrained state — explaining both the therapeutic potential and the phenomenology of psychedelic experiences.
Keywords
entropic brainconsciousnessentropypsychedelicsneuroimagingdefault mode network
Neuroscience