Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A February 2012 PMID 22308440

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin.

Robin L Carhart-Harris, David Erritzoe, Tim Williams, James M Stone, Laurence J Reed, Alessandro Colasanti, Robin J Tyacke, Robert Leech, Andrea L Malizia, Kevin Murphy, Peter Hobden, John Evans, Amanda Feilding, Richard G Wise, David J Nutt

Mentions

279
Peak: 15 in Feb 2022
across 6 sources since Jul 2020

Extended reach

517,122
potential audience

Total likes

6,563

Video views

117,743

Mentions per month

Jul 2020 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions show high enthusiasm and curiosity about how psilocybin impacts brain activity, with examples like references to the decrease in default mode network activity, citations of influential research, and comments describing the study as transformative or game-changing. The tone and words—such as 'key to understanding,' 'groundbreaking,' and 'empirical meat'—highlight a strong recognition of its significance in neuroscience and psychology.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the findings, especially noting the study as a 'game-changer' and emphasizing its role in understanding psychedelics' effects on the brain.

InterestHigh interest

Participants exhibit high curiosity, referencing related studies, citations, and implications, demonstrating strong engagement with the topic.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include mentions of methodologies, comparisons with other research, and interpretations of brain activity changes, reflecting active and thoughtful involvement.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions highlight the study's potential to influence neuroscience and psychology, with some calling it essential or groundbreaking research that could shape future understanding.

Abstract in brief

  • This study used fMRI techniques to investigate how psilocybin affects brain activity, revealing that it causes decreases in blood flow and activity in key brain regions like the thalamus and cingulate cortex, which are involved in consciousness and cognition.
  • A notable finding was the consistent decrease in activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and decreased connectivity between the mPFC and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), suggesting that psilocybin reduces communication in brain hubs crucial for normal thought processes.
  • These changes in brain activity and connectivity are linked to the altered states of consciousness experienced under psychedelics, implying that their effects might be due to disrupted activity in the brain's core connector regions, leading to unconstrained or altered thinking.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Stuart Hameroff
@StuartHameroff · X

The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Carhart-Harris showed subjects resting with eyes closed while tripping on IV psilocybin had cold, dark MRI. https://t.co/RJ0pQXlYsB https://t.co/845QrDVHFA

Aug 28, 2024 · 55 likes · 9 shares · 19,804 followers View post →
Beckley Foundation | Psychedelic Research
@BeckleyResearch · X

10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain under the influence of #psilocybin, with surprising results, helping to kickstart the modern #PsychedelicRenaissance Find out more: https://t.co/eCsdGL0wQD

Feb 8, 2022 · 45 likes · 15 shares · 60,080 followers View post →
Robin Carhart-Harris
@RCarhartHarris · X

Nice to see this important paper from @KatrinPreller and co. I look forward to reading. Changes in absolute CBF makes more sense to me (& replicates previous work e.g., https://t.co/psLeSy9X0C). What does it mean? Still an open question: https://t.co/bygtbOjM2i https://t.co/9SV9nOaRCd

Oct 16, 2023 · 23 likes · 4 shares · 65,498 followers View post →
Robin Carhart-Harris
@RCarhartHarris · X

Then this started to put some more serious empirical meat on the bone: https://t.co/zBWsEZN1jg https://t.co/dtzOE6tgZC

Dec 28, 2022 · 11 likes · 2 shares · 65,498 followers View post →
BeeARD AI
@BeeARDai · X

robin carhart-harris's study, "neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin," is a game-changer, showing how psychedelics alter brain activity. with over 1490 citations, it's key to understanding the neurobiology of psychedelics.

Dec 4, 2024 · 9 likes · 1 share · 3,657 followers View post →
Manoj Doss not exist
@ManojDoss · X

mg for mg, DMT is less potent than psilocybin. 1-2 mg intravenous psilocybin (https://t.co/IZhQjLRQjs, https://t.co/NikryCvGyy) produces similar effects as 10+ mg intravenous DMT (https://t.co/eL3ob0ExX3, https://t.co/RfLy7tyQ14, https://t.co/Bix7IWxHUl). 2/7

May 25, 2023 · 7 likes · 6,084 followers View post →

All mentions

marc desmarais
@Marc_Desm · X

@Doggedpursuited @MiddleOfMayhem Reality is a constrained hallucination. It takes energy to keep the constraints on. Letting go is easy and brings in the ghosts, aliens, & Faries. https://t.co/hWa4js0RoE

Nov 15, 2025 · 663 followers View post →
Tiyenşan Canavarı
@_chemako · X

@MEHMETK030201 @reha37 Yani durum Reha beyin dediği gibi. Beyin, dış dünya uyaranlarını filtreler nitelikte. Neden peki? Atomları görürsen "parçaları" göremezsin, üzerine gelen bir kaplanı da! Aynısı dalga boyu, tayf vb. için de geçerli. Doğal seçilim böylesini becerebilmiş.. https://t.co/MxpV47EyKQ

Oct 18, 2025 · 3 likes · 138 followers View post →
Dr. Ravenwing
@DrRavenwin95421 · X

@StuartHameroff https://t.co/MDVc1KMyni this psilocybin study that you mentioned concurs in finding with recent study by @MatthewSacchet @winsonfzyang where they also found that reduced DMN activity led to increased quality of awareness https://t.co/LGUGYWH6t3

Sep 18, 2025 · 1 like · 451 followers View post →
Dr. Gennadi Glinsky, MD, Ph.D.
@gglinskii · X

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin https://t.co/B9M4TYVZG8

Jun 28, 2025 · 2,066 followers View post →
Tracy Kim Townsend, MD
@tracyktownsend · X

Sources:  Al-Ezzi et al. (2021) Analysis of Default Mode Network in Social Anxiety Disorder: EEG Resting-State Effective Connectivity Study. https://t.co/QLr9k3tHqQ Carhart-Harris et al. (2012) Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with

Feb 11, 2025 · 2 likes · 4,693 followers View post →
Nicola_W
@Nic___w · X

RT @StuartHameroff: The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Car…

Jan 9, 2025 · 9 shares · 2,766 followers View post →
ଓଡିଶା HEADACHE SOLUTIONS
@DrSenapati · X

RT @BeeARDai: robin carhart-harris's study, "neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin," is…

Dec 7, 2024 · 1 share · 265 followers View post →
BeeARD AI
@BeeARDai · X

robin carhart-harris's study, "neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin," is a game-changer, showing how psychedelics alter brain activity. with over 1490 citations, it's key to understanding the neurobiology of psychedelics.

Dec 4, 2024 · 9 likes · 1 share · 3,657 followers View post →
Evolving Mind
@evolvinghominin · X

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin | PNAS https://t.co/ZRF99j5Y7j

Oct 22, 2024 · 3 followers View post →
Katherine
@bunnylookin · X

RT @StuartHameroff: The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Car…

Aug 30, 2024 · 9 shares · 3,504 followers View post →
Michel Blanc
@Blanc07Michel · X

RT @StuartHameroff: The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Car…

Aug 29, 2024 · 9 shares · 1,665 followers View post →
Eric Novack
@eric_novack · X

RT @StuartHameroff: The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Car…

Aug 28, 2024 · 9 shares · 5,524 followers View post →
pennybun01
@pennybun01 · X

@Unthought10 The paper shared by Stuart Hameroff in his reply to my question that I retweeted, but you have to click through to see it https://t.co/Y6rsgg8XR9

Aug 28, 2024 · 627 followers View post →
Chuck Petras
@Chuck_Petras · X

RT @StuartHameroff: The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Car…

Aug 28, 2024 · 9 shares · 4,406 followers View post →
Sterling Cooley
@SterlingCooley · X

RT @StuartHameroff: The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Car…

Aug 28, 2024 · 9 shares · 20,873 followers View post →
Nathalia Le Hen
@NathaliaLeHen · X

RT @StuartHameroff: The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Car…

Aug 28, 2024 · 9 shares · 2,807 followers View post →
Stuart Hameroff
@StuartHameroff · X

The energetic cost of consciousness is very low, compared to cognition which requires membrane potentials, ATP etc. Carhart-Harris showed subjects resting with eyes closed while tripping on IV psilocybin had cold, dark MRI. https://t.co/RJ0pQXlYsB https://t.co/845QrDVHFA

Aug 28, 2024 · 55 likes · 9 shares · 19,804 followers View post →
Craig Harlow
@craigthecrane · X

@maqart55 @AnitaBeerToday @misfitparade03 @prochoicewoman7 https://t.co/ewCjc6ju6U https://t.co/8sjmfYyEQ8 https://t.co/vyic1F4NCI https://t.co/w1pFONKB9Y https://t.co/5frIf0KZEs

Jun 19, 2024 · 96 followers View post →
Jibran Khokhar
@DrJKhokhar · X

RT @RCarhartHarris: Nice to see this important paper from @KatrinPreller and co. I look forward to reading. Changes in absolute CBF makes m…

Oct 18, 2023 · 4 shares · 10,861 followers View post →
Matheus Mendes
@MattheusMendes_ · X

RT @RCarhartHarris: Nice to see this important paper from @KatrinPreller and co. I look forward to reading. Changes in absolute CBF makes m…

Oct 17, 2023 · 4 shares · 5 followers View post →
Sum dude
@MykTheMycelium · X

RT @RCarhartHarris: Nice to see this important paper from @KatrinPreller and co. I look forward to reading. Changes in absolute CBF makes m…

Oct 16, 2023 · 4 shares · 10 followers View post →
Keegan D
@keeganD31291751 · X

RT @RCarhartHarris: Nice to see this important paper from @KatrinPreller and co. I look forward to reading. Changes in absolute CBF makes m…

Oct 16, 2023 · 4 shares · 26 followers View post →
Robin Carhart-Harris
@RCarhartHarris · X

Nice to see this important paper from @KatrinPreller and co. I look forward to reading. Changes in absolute CBF makes more sense to me (& replicates previous work e.g., https://t.co/psLeSy9X0C). What does it mean? Still an open question: https://t.co/bygtbOjM2i https://t.co/9SV9nOaRCd

Oct 16, 2023 · 23 likes · 4 shares · 65,498 followers View post →
Milica Radovic-Mandic
@Milica_Radovic_ · X

@puwulitics @PsilocybinSf @TEDxMarin 1. Carhart-Harris, R. L., Erritzoe, D., Williams, T., Stone, J. M., Reed, L. J., Colasanti, A., ... & Nutt, D. J. (2012). Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(6), 2138-2143.

Jun 27, 2023 · 1 like · 939 followers View post →
Manoj Doss not exist
@ManojDoss · X

mg for mg, DMT is less potent than psilocybin. 1-2 mg intravenous psilocybin (https://t.co/IZhQjLRQjs, https://t.co/NikryCvGyy) produces similar effects as 10+ mg intravenous DMT (https://t.co/eL3ob0ExX3, https://t.co/RfLy7tyQ14, https://t.co/Bix7IWxHUl). 2/7

May 25, 2023 · 7 likes · 6,084 followers View post →
R Sieg
@ryan_sieg · X

@VikkiKingMD @TheDailyShroom https://t.co/3CzDI5NnLW Very interesting

Mar 22, 2023 · 33 followers View post →
Gaetano Lardieri
@EntheoG108 · X

https://t.co/vbml1dwcQj

Mar 16, 2023 · 165 followers View post →
Chris Timmermann
@neurodelia · X

@TimmyJSDavis @RCarhartHarris @sdpnayak For most impactful in neuroscience this comes immediately to mind https://t.co/NW8zqUDHXb For most impactful in experimental psychology this comes to mind https://t.co/QM6L8W0RVZ These 2 got me excited to start working in this field.

Jan 20, 2023 · 2 likes · 11,891 followers View post →
Brittany
@Br1ttanyS · X

RT @RCarhartHarris: Then this started to put some more serious empirical meat on the bone: https://t.co/zBWsEZN1jg https://t.co/dtzOE6tgZC

Dec 30, 2022 · 2 shares · 237 followers View post →
chris
@scenoj8 · X

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences https://t.co/65IaJ7PBUn

Dec 29, 2022 View post →
Kenneth Thelandersson
@KThelandersson · X

RT @RCarhartHarris: Then this started to put some more serious empirical meat on the bone: https://t.co/zBWsEZN1jg https://t.co/dtzOE6tgZC

Dec 28, 2022 · 2 shares · 188 followers View post →
Robin Carhart-Harris
@RCarhartHarris · X

Then this started to put some more serious empirical meat on the bone: https://t.co/zBWsEZN1jg https://t.co/dtzOE6tgZC

Dec 28, 2022 · 11 likes · 2 shares · 65,498 followers View post →
Dan Girshovich
@DanGirsh · X

@tedcooke Psilocybin decreases activity measured by fmri: https://t.co/IcAUFR6aZD

Oct 22, 2022 · 1 like · 289 followers View post →
Pedro
@uapdog · X

https://t.co/eV0GTofNDa

Oct 9, 2022 · 1 like · 1,945 followers View post →
Joe Martin
@ItsJoeMartin · X

r/neuroscience - Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin https://t.co/7k8CJCAmd4

Aug 20, 2022 · 348 followers View post →
Nico Ventures
@nicoventures · X

r/neuroscience - Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin https://t.co/3LgQH6ucge

Aug 7, 2022 · 51 followers View post →
/r/Neuroscience
@neuroreddit · X

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin https://t.co/MkYnM854zn

Jul 12, 2022 · 6 followers View post →
Alex Speiser
@alex_speiser · X

@zach_haigney https://t.co/nkr88boasS

May 19, 2022 · 3 likes · 300 followers View post →
Andrew Gallimore
@alieninsect · X

@Through_Leaves @neuroDaws @NatureMedicine @RCarhartHarris @ProfDavidNutt And in this pioneering 2012 study: https://t.co/r307VNvKik

Apr 12, 2022 · 39,027 followers View post →
Kamuka
@sravacitta · X

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin https://t.co/qrvWAM3uXs

Mar 30, 2022 · 390 followers View post →
BNDR
@bendercock2 · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 23, 2022 · 15 shares · 1,442 followers View post →
Szabolcs Sandoly
@sandoly · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 23, 2022 · 15 shares · 2,396 followers View post →
รקคςє๓ค๓ค ๓คyค
@SpacemamaMaya · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 23, 2022 · 15 shares · 3,071 followers View post →
Michel Blanc
@Blanc07Michel · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 9, 2022 · 15 shares · 1,665 followers View post →
@CryptoWZRD_ is a FRAUD
@CryptoWZRD_SCAM · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 354 followers View post →
Greg
@Dodger8727 · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 586 followers View post →
Carter Butson
@Carter_Butson · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 461 followers View post →
Laure Nolet
@NoletLaure · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 351 followers View post →
El Profesor
@elprofesaur · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 1,215 followers View post →
Marco Battaglia
@MarcoBattaglia · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 1,757 followers View post →
vam-puer queen
@varadhanna · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 2,186 followers View post →
Dr Rayyan Zafar
@RayyanZafar6 · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 1,540 followers View post →
REMAP Therapeutics
@REMAPTherapy · X

RT @BeckleyResearch: 10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain…

Feb 8, 2022 · 15 shares · 1,287 followers View post →
Beckley Foundation | Psychedelic Research
@BeckleyResearch · X

10 years ago, the Beckley/Imperial #Psychedelic Research Programme published the very first images of the human brain under the influence of #psilocybin, with surprising results, helping to kickstart the modern #PsychedelicRenaissance Find out more: https://t.co/eCsdGL0wQD

Feb 8, 2022 · 45 likes · 15 shares · 60,080 followers View post →
David1993
@David1976469437 · X

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin https://t.co/PEsHprsAfY

Feb 4, 2022 · 50 followers View post →
Artur Paulo
@ArturPauloNeuro · X

A psilocibina também diminui a atividade da rede de modo padrão (Default Mode Network) que geralmente está aumentada na depressão e em processos de ruminação https://t.co/hS4Q72ejQl https://t.co/YlGALS9Dzo

Dec 11, 2021 · 1 like · 76 followers View post →
Bruce Waynejrv
@Bob_Stinson1234 · X

RT @Psychanastasie: Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A . 20…

Aug 9, 2021 · 1 share · 5,138 followers View post →
Anastasie
@Psychanastasie · X

Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A . 2012 Feb 7;109(6):2138-43. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1119598109. Epub 2012 Jan 23.] https://t.co/CaZ0E2HCwM https://t.co/bZVvR1yDZi

Jun 4, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 11,993 followers View post →
Dragonflynda
@Dragonflynda · X

From the Cover: Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin https://t.co/VAOkmHGNNE

Jul 7, 2020 · 25,310 followers View post →