Psilocybin alters visual contextual computations
Psilocybin alters perception and brain dynamics. Here, we investigate the effects of psilocybin using psychophysics, ultra-high field functional MRI, and computational modeling. We find that psilocybin alters contextual perception in the Ebbinghaus illusion, as well as contextual modulation in cortical responses to visual stimuli. We propose a computational model capable of capturing and linking these changes. Leveraging vision as a beachhead, our findings highlight the alteration of contextual computations as a potential general mechanism underlying psychedelic action.
Authors
- Serge O. Dumoulin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7474-7711)
- Gilles de Hollander (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1988-5091)
- Tomas Knapen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5863-8689)
- Marco Aqil (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3361-3156)
- Nina Vreugdenhil (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6358-819X)
Institutions
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NL)
- Utrecht University (NL)
- University of Zurich (CH)
- Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging (NL)
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-11-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65150-y
- Primary Topic
- Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Usona Institute
- Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek