Ayahuasca-inspired DMT/HAR formulation reduces brain differentiation between self and other faces
While broadly disrupting early visual processing across face categories, the DMT/HAR formulation selectively attenuated the neural distinction between self and other faces, revealing a potential neural correlate of diminished self-referential processing. This effect underscores the serotonergic modulation of face recognition and suggests a reorganization of self-related neural dynamics under psychedelics. By reducing self-other differentiation, psychedelics may promote cognitive and emotional flexibility. These mechanisms could support therapeutic effects in conditions marked by rigid self-focus, such as depression and social anxiety, offering new perspectives on their clinical application.
Authors
- Daniel Meling (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9118-5431)
- Michael Kometer
- Davide Bottari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6843-1569)
- Helena Aicher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5915-7086)
- J Müller
- Dila Suay (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5268-9992)
- Milan Scheidegger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1313-2208)
- Dario Dornbierer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9946-2069)
- Michael J. Mueller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9165-0903)
- Ilhui A. Wicki
- Alexandra Hempe
- Luzia Caflisch
- Claudius Elsner
- C. R. Steinhart
Institutions
- IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca (IT)
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (CH)
- University of Freiburg (DE)
- ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences (CH)
- University of Zurich (CH)
- University Medical Center Freiburg (DE)
- Kantonsspital Winterthur (CH)
- Technische Universität Dresden (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- NeuroImage
- Published
- 2025-04-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121247
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.92