Pharmacol Rev July 2019 PMID 31221820

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics.

R L Carhart-Harris, K J Friston

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Mentions

176
Peak: 5 in Sep 2019
across 7 sources since Jun 2019

Extended reach

410,694
potential audience

Total likes

211

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5,117

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Jun 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News82 articles
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  • YouTube6 videos
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  • Bluesky3 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a strong collective interest in how the REBUS model explains the relaxation of rigid beliefs through psychedelics, with users referencing specific mechanisms like limbic connectivity and predictive processing. The tone is enthusiastic and inquisitive, emphasizing the model's relevance to mental health and neuroscience, which contribute to the overall high agreement and impact scores.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions concur that the REBUS model offers a compelling framework for understanding psychedelics' effects on the brain, emphasizing its informative value for neuroscience and mental health.

InterestHigh interest

Many posts display high curiosity, with multiple references to reading, exploring related papers, and discussing the model’s implications, indicating strong engagement and interest.

EngagementHigh engagement

Frequent mentions of the paper's details, debates about the mechanisms, and calls to read or understand more demonstrate deep engagement with the concepts and research.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions highlight the model’s potential to influence our understanding of belief formation, mental health treatments, and the neuroscience of psychedelics, suggesting a high impact in scientific and clinical fields.

Abstract in brief

  • This paper introduces the REBUS model, which explains how psychedelics relax high-level beliefs in the brain by increasing brain entropy, allowing more bottom-up information to flow, especially from the limbic system.
  • It suggests that this process can help revise overly rigid or pathological beliefs, providing a potential mechanism for therapeutic benefits in mental health conditions.
  • The model also implies that psychedelics could potentially help alter deeply held beliefs outside of mental health, like political or religious views, by updating or softening heavily weighted prior beliefs.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Chris Timmermann
@neurodelia · X

Findings also support the REBUS hypothesis (https://t.co/Qfw5XE03Z4). While the precision of priors (TOP-related) goes down, increased connectivity in limbic areas may act as the ‘source’ of novel content emerging during psychedelics. More work is needed to test this directly 9/n

Mar 20, 2023 · 26 likes · 2 shares · 11,829 followers View post →
Michael Ashcroft
@m_ashcroft · X

@painaulaitt good question — @JakeOrthwein mentioned a paper co-authored by Friston and Carhart-Harris on Predictive Processing and psychedelics — I think here: https://t.co/Ko62uzykYe @sunofdopamine also mentioned a paper on PP and EMDR, which I can't find because Twitter search is trash

Feb 16, 2023 · 7 likes · 18,862 followers View post →
Chris Lakin
@ChrischipMonk · X

@spirit_raccoon REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics R L Carhart-Harris, K J Friston This paper formulates the action of psychedelics by integrating the free-energy principle and entropic brain hypothesis. We call this formulation relaxed

Sep 21, 2025 · 7 likes · 9,119 followers View post →
Nick Dobos
@NickADobos · X

@visakanv Low neural annealing When temp is low, you get stuck in local maxima A lot of psychedelic and ai science seems to be pointing toward a brain model like this. Have you read REBUS ? https://t.co/NjgAsQtWko https://t.co/gqyvvY9vwj

Nov 14, 2023 · 5 likes · 49,812 followers View post →
PsyArXiv-bot
@PsyArXivBot · X

Strengthened beliefs under psychedelics (SEBUS)? A Commentary on "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics" https://t.co/N6M5cOYcFV

Nov 29, 2020 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 7,273 followers View post →
Ryan Natan
@Neur0naut · X

@PaulAustin3w Not a really a 'discovery' but this is the best as attempt so far a explaining how psychedelics work. "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics" https://t.co/CGXioPyy1w https://t.co/noCqj6J3CQ

May 16, 2020 · 5 likes · 1 share · 450 followers View post →

All mentions

Understanding the Neuroscience of Psychedelics

This video explores the neuroscience behind psychedelics, referencing comprehensive studies on brain function and consciousness. Notable works include insights from Carhart-Harris and Friston on unifying brain action…

Ramzy Abueita · Jul 9, 2022 246 views
spirit raccoon MD
@spirit_raccoon · X

@Nayberryk Relevant to all these cfsers we’re talking to: https://t.co/iuMK0v8L7a

Sep 27, 2025 · 1 like · 215 followers View post →
ヌ3
@moriful3.bsky.social · Bluesky

カリフォルニア大学サンフランシスコ校のRobin Carhart‑Harris(ロビン・カート・ハリス)「REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics (幻覚下での信念の弛緩およびアナーキーな脳)」(2019)を調べた。 自由エネルギー原理とエントロピー脳仮説 を統合し、幻覚薬が高レベルの信念を弛緩させ、ボトムアップの信号伝達を解放(アナーキーな状態)にするという理論。薬物による現実感覚変容を説明するモデル。いかに私たちが信念によって現実を枠組みづけているか。

Sep 21, 2025 · 2 likes View post →
Chris Lakin
@ChrischipMonk · X

@spirit_raccoon REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics R L Carhart-Harris, K J Friston This paper formulates the action of psychedelics by integrating the free-energy principle and entropic brain hypothesis. We call this formulation relaxed

Sep 21, 2025 · 7 likes · 9,119 followers View post →
CNS News
@CogNeuroNews · X

RT @K_Dong96: #CNS2025 | Just happened Poster session F @michaelangyus presented a study exploring “Does prediction error in the auditoty s…

Apr 1, 2025 · 2 shares · 6,306 followers View post →
Haojiang Ying
@ying_hojo · X

RT @K_Dong96: #CNS2025 | Just happened Poster session F @michaelangyus presented a study exploring “Does prediction error in the auditoty s…

Apr 1, 2025 · 2 shares · 244 followers View post →
Kun Dong
@kundong.bsky.social · Bluesky

#CNS2025 | Just happened Poster session F Michael Angyus presented a study exploring “Does prediction error in the auditoty system have associated changes in entropy” using an auditory odd ball task. They find a correlation with entropy and MMN amplitude. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31221820/

Apr 1, 2025 · 3 likes · 2 shares View post →
Kun Dong
@K_Dong96 · X

#CNS2025 | Just happened Poster session F @michaelangyus presented a study exploring “Does prediction error in the auditoty system have associated changes in entropy” using an auditory odd ball task. They find a correlation with entropy and MMN amplitude. https://t.co/zCXwGX2G9U https://t.co/khV5R01eQB

Apr 1, 2025 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 245 followers View post →
Nick Dobos
@NickADobos · X

@_coenen Absolutely. Have you read REBUS by Carhart Harris? If not, you need to: https://t.co/NjgAsQtWko

Nov 24, 2024 · 49,812 followers View post →
Unwind Learning
@unwindoakland.bsky.social · Bluesky

“REBUS” suggests psychedelics relax a rigid brain, enabling new connections. This model offers insights into reducing rumination and fostering adaptation in conditions like #PTSD, #chronicpain, or #depression. Read more: doi.org/10.1124/pr.118.017160 #Psychedelics #Neuroscience #MentalHealth #REBUS

Nov 18, 2024 · 1 like View post →
Robin Carhart-Harris
@RCarhartHarris · X

@georgejwdeane @introspection @NeuroConsc @EricElmoznino @ConstantAxel @g_lajoie_ And the associated papers here: https://t.co/uKzoLouUfu https://t.co/Epckz51vt4 https://t.co/5w63kyS3vn

Apr 2, 2024 · 65,236 followers View post →
Nick Dobos
@NickADobos · X

@visakanv Low neural annealing When temp is low, you get stuck in local maxima A lot of psychedelic and ai science seems to be pointing toward a brain model like this. Have you read REBUS ? https://t.co/NjgAsQtWko https://t.co/gqyvvY9vwj

Nov 14, 2023 · 5 likes · 49,812 followers View post →
Burny - Effective Curiosity
@burny_tech · X

@QualiaRI @InferenceActive 59↑ REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/AwPF8usiBj

Apr 17, 2023 · 2 likes · 19,136 followers View post →
fotis saltaferis HIV+ U=U
@Fsalt · X

RT @neurodelia: Findings also support the REBUS hypothesis (https://t.co/Qfw5XE03Z4). While the precision of priors (TOP-related) goes down…

Mar 26, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,678 followers View post →
Hashy Larry
@hennynpineapple · X

RT @neurodelia: Findings also support the REBUS hypothesis (https://t.co/Qfw5XE03Z4). While the precision of priors (TOP-related) goes down…

Mar 24, 2023 · 2 shares · 54 followers View post →
Chris Timmermann
@neurodelia · X

Findings also support the REBUS hypothesis (https://t.co/Qfw5XE03Z4). While the precision of priors (TOP-related) goes down, increased connectivity in limbic areas may act as the ‘source’ of novel content emerging during psychedelics. More work is needed to test this directly 9/n

Mar 20, 2023 · 26 likes · 2 shares · 11,829 followers View post →
Michael Ashcroft
@m_ashcroft · X

@painaulaitt good question — @JakeOrthwein mentioned a paper co-authored by Friston and Carhart-Harris on Predictive Processing and psychedelics — I think here: https://t.co/Ko62uzykYe @sunofdopamine also mentioned a paper on PP and EMDR, which I can't find because Twitter search is trash

Feb 16, 2023 · 7 likes · 18,862 followers View post →
@DrGottfried
@DrGottfried · X

Are you familiar with the REBUS model of psychodelics? Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychodelics. REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of #Psychedelics https://t.co/a6pDRh3GYx

Jul 29, 2022 · 16,710 followers View post →
Gaetano Lardieri
@EntheoG108 · X

https://t.co/VHrkA4SdQT

Jul 10, 2022 · 167 followers View post →
Thomas F. Varley
@ThosVarley · X

@jillnephew [4/n] Arguably the highest-level model is the REBUS/EBH from Carhart-Harris and Friston. You could argue that it satisfies some criteria of "mechanism" (if you're okay with higher-order causal relationships). https://t.co/krVmIMhxdq

Apr 24, 2022 · 1 like · 4,458 followers View post →
Flâneur
@GROEMODEL · X

@HundredthIdiot https://t.co/KtyF0623FX

Apr 19, 2022 · 457 followers View post →
Thomas F. Varley
@ThosVarley · X

@tangled_zans This is a pretty comprehensive proposal that I'm generally sympathetic to (although it makes a *lot* of simplifying assumptions about the serotonin system). https://t.co/bywBwSF4Qu

Mar 8, 2022 · 2 likes · 4,458 followers View post →
ALIUS - @aliusresearch.bsky.social
@aliusresearch · X

In his view, "the REBUS model" (https://t.co/mgtGXds43n) does not emphasize the potential contributions of Cortico-Striato-ThalamoCortical feedback mechanisms enough." Non-pharmacological methods (https://t.co/8XhAgaeZts) indicate that subcortical regions are important as well.

Feb 1, 2022 · 728 followers View post →
Magnus
@magnusalban · X

@keithfrankish https://t.co/MvxgYyYxpL

Jan 13, 2022 · 455 followers View post →
Views on Drugs
@ViewsOnDrugsBot · X

RT @ViewsOnDrugsBot: REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of #Psychedelics 1/5 https://t.co/V8GYjk5Xje

Dec 16, 2021 · 1 share · 2,065 followers View post →
Views on Drugs
@ViewsOnDrugsBot · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of #Psychedelics 1/5 https://t.co/V8GYjk5Xje

Oct 5, 2021 · 1 share · 2,065 followers View post →
Catarina Cunha
@clemoscatarina · X

RT @Astro_Erik: @clemoscatarina @cerebral_haze @sierra_photon @Clubhouse Thanks for the reference* @creon *relaxed beliefs under psyched…

Sep 28, 2021 · 1 share · 1,763 followers View post →
io
@io_1337 · X

@clemoscatarina @cerebral_haze @sierra_photon @Clubhouse Thanks for the reference* @creon *relaxed beliefs under psychedelics https://t.co/sgddPvkxxg

Sep 28, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 2,768 followers View post →
Boris Yakubchik
@whyboris · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/4voUJK6Dtw

Jul 8, 2021 · 1,104 followers View post →
Zaza Doborjginidze
@zazadob · X

RT @KlinkBart: Fascinating review of the neuroscience of psychedelics by @RCarhartHarris and Karl Friston. Naturalistic explanations of the…

Jun 27, 2021 · 1 share · 314 followers View post →
Bart Klink
@KlinkBart · X

Fascinating review of the neuroscience of psychedelics by @RCarhartHarris and Karl Friston. Naturalistic explanations of these wonderful experiences are getting better and better. The supernatural is not needed to explain it. https://t.co/W2HXXN4xgn

Jun 27, 2021 · 4 likes · 1 share · 960 followers View post →
Doctor Richard Waterloo
@TunnelsReality · X

Have you read this paper, REBUS? Groundbreaking ideas about psychedelics and belief formation REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics: https://t.co/HX92N67Hii

Apr 29, 2021 · 1,199 followers View post →
Isatou Sarr
@IsatouSarr4 · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/BFZjrO8Ljd

Apr 15, 2021 · 1 like · 34 followers View post →
Brian D. Earp, Ph.D.
@briandavidearp · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/mxip6V9HCL https://t.co/pZVkCcjC8D

Feb 20, 2021 · 1 like · 26,095 followers View post →
Amsterdam Psychedelic Research Association (APRA)
@APRAresearch · X

Strengthened Beliefs Under Psychedelics (SEBUS)? A Commentary on "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics" https://t.co/9dG2njjt7f

Dec 28, 2020 · 1 like · 4,011 followers View post →
Blossom
@blossomact · X

Commenting on the seminal REBUS paper by Carhart-Harris and Friston (2019). https://t.co/ErXDzWqebz

Dec 7, 2020 · 3,358 followers View post →
Patrick Lockwood
@DoctorLockwood · X

RT @PsyArXivBot: Strengthened beliefs under psychedelics (SEBUS)? A Commentary on "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of…

Nov 29, 2020 · 2 shares · 4,921 followers View post →
PsyArXiv-bot
@PsyArXivBot · X

Strengthened beliefs under psychedelics (SEBUS)? A Commentary on "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics" https://t.co/N6M5cOYcFV

Nov 29, 2020 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 7,273 followers View post →
Pooja
@pm_girl · X

#REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics - 2019 paper by R. L. Carhart-Harris and K. J. Friston https://t.co/EcqL3tSUpq #science

Aug 17, 2020 · 2,068 followers View post →
New Scientist Zone
@NewScientistZon · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics - 2019 paper by R. L. Carhart-Harris and K. J. Friston https://t.co/QIa4MmT7xS

Aug 16, 2020 · 177 followers View post →
Stevo
@Ste69477056 · X

RT @Neur0naut: @PaulAustin3w Not a really a 'discovery' but this is the best as attempt so far a explaining how psychedelics work. "REBUS a…

Jul 30, 2020 · 1 share · 531 followers View post →
Awais Aftab
@awaisaftab · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/GRU63oabcg

Jul 20, 2020 · 24,354 followers View post →
Ryan Natan
@Neur0naut · X

@PaulAustin3w Not a really a 'discovery' but this is the best as attempt so far a explaining how psychedelics work. "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics" https://t.co/CGXioPyy1w https://t.co/noCqj6J3CQ

May 16, 2020 · 5 likes · 1 share · 450 followers View post →
Hello
@intrinsic_motiv · X

@bayesianboy @casper_hesp @neuropoetic @fluffycyborg @MdKirchhoff @hohwy If you're interested in this stuff,..., check this out,..., REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics, This paper formulates the action of psychedelics by integrating the free-energy principle and entropic brain hypothesis

Apr 29, 2020 · 939 followers View post →
Ryan Natan
@Neur0naut · X

Apr 12, 2020 · 1 like · 450 followers View post →
Ryan Natan
@Neur0naut · X

Both papers were a good primer before we dive into #REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/knaFoXtlla

Mar 31, 2020 · 1 like · 450 followers View post →
TJ, #FullMetaJacket
@coristus · X

RT @APRA_bot: REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics. https://t.co/4Hwgh4sZHT

Dec 18, 2019 · 2,437 followers View post →
Amsterdam Psychedelic Research Association (APRA)
@APRAresearch · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics. https://t.co/4Hwgh4sZHT

Dec 18, 2019 · 3 likes · 4,011 followers View post →
CLaE
@leafs_s · X

Pharmacological Reviews REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/3S7ZfCDVnL

Dec 17, 2019 · 3 likes · 28,162 followers View post →
How to Use Psychedelics
@howpsychedelics · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/2PKp92pTse

Nov 15, 2019 · 2,215 followers View post →
DARV
@ParadiseInside · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/YtdWGW4Lxt MIND SWIRL: https://t.co/Umyh0vrF1e

Oct 20, 2019 · 258 followers View post →
UCCpsychiatry
@UCCpsychiatry · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics @johnrkelly https://t.co/ekkZd7sfFM

Oct 8, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,519 followers View post →
Pharm Rev (ASPET)
@PharmRevJournal · X

Open Access, and a popular read - REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics: https://t.co/m1Pev7wMmd https://t.co/zyzLixIEoK

Oct 8, 2019 · 1 like · 617 followers View post →
THERADELICS
@theradelics · X

RT @ottpsychlist: Spending my day home sick re-reading "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psyched…

Sep 26, 2019 · 1 share · 3,386 followers View post →
ottpsychlist
@ottpsychlist · X

Spending my day home sick re-reading "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics" https://t.co/zCDFt0Mqb8 #psychedelics @RCarhartHarris #REBUS

Sep 26, 2019 · 3 likes · 1 share · 72 followers View post →
OPEN Foundation
@OPEN_fndn · X

A digest of Karl Friston and Robin Carhart-Harris's recent paper REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics. https://t.co/Wn8yEjfiZe

Sep 18, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,116 followers View post →
ChiMaBa
@ChiMaBa1 · X

RElaxed Beliefs Under pSychedelics (REBUS) and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics | Pharmacological Reviews https://t.co/tuZZu0Icmo

Sep 3, 2019 · 42 followers View post →
ChiMaBa
@ChiMaBa1 · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics | Pharmacological Reviews https://t.co/tuZZu0Icmo

Sep 3, 2019 · 1 like · 42 followers View post →
freezing_cloud
@freezing_cloud · X

@qorprate You mean "REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics"? I'll read it

Aug 21, 2019 · 3 likes · 394 followers View post →
UCL Discovery
@ucl_discovery · X

Open Access UCL Research: REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics https://t.co/9525jMj7JT

Jul 1, 2019 · 2,522 followers View post →
James Hawkins
@DrJamesHawkins · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics. https://t.co/ST3Su9AP1Y

Jun 26, 2019 · 1,194 followers View post →
Amsterdam Psychedelic Research Association (APRA)
@APRAresearch · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics. https://t.co/pQoAvm1ctp

Jun 22, 2019 · 4,011 followers View post →
James Hawkins
@DrJamesHawkins · X

REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics. https://t.co/kpeZcQgZYd

Jun 22, 2019 · 1,194 followers View post →