New study says LSD use lessens the ego

LSD has been the subject of a new study by Imperial College London and there's evidence that its effects on the brain are positive.

Having used 20 volunteers - providing them with LSD and a placebo - the study found that the psychedelic drug had a strong influence on the "maintenance of 'self' or 'ego' and its processing of 'meaning'."

Robin Carhart-Harris took charge of the research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal and described how LSD worked to readjust people's brain functioning.

“It is also related to what people sometimes call 'ego-dissolution', which means the normal sense of self is broken down and replaced by a sense of reconnection with themselves, others and the natural world.”

Carhart-Harris added: “Normally our brain consists of independent networks that perform separate specialised functions, such as vision, movement, and hearing – as well as more complex things like attention.

"However, under LSD, the separateness of these networks breaks down and instead you see a more integrated or unified brain."

You can see how LSD looks under the microscope here, along with MDMA, GHB, amphetamine and more.

[Via: Dazed]
[Photo: Maurice Mikkers]

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Digital News Editor, follow him on Twitter