The Neuroscience of Consciousness —
from Addiction to Insight

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Selected publications.

Publications
Illuminating Consciousness
Illuminating Consciousness

What is consciousness? This ambitious review synthesizes diverse perspectives across cultures, over time, and between disciplines to arrive at a new view of the mind — a phenomenon that is amenable to scientific inquiry and essential for the future of humanity.

Mobile EEG examination of putative biomarkers of mental health in individuals that use cannabis
Mobile EEG examination of putative biomarkers of mental health in individuals that use cannabis

Findings indicate an “arrested development” in brain activity related to cognition in young men with a history of frequent cannabis use.

Natural language analysis of the structure of altered states of consciousness
Natural language analysis of the structure of altered states of consciousness

This preliminary look across consciousness-modifying techniques from anonymous online reports is a call for rigorous laboratory studies to validate mind-manifesting effects.

Neural complexity is increased after low doses of LSD, but not moderate to high doses of oral THC or methamphetamine
Neural complexity is increased after low doses of LSD, but not moderate to high doses of oral THC or methamphetamine

Even “microdoses” of psychedelics increase the complexity of brain signals, a measure thought to be related to consciousness. Interestingly, this effect was absent in other psychoactive substances tested, even at higher doses.

A man in a business suit drinks water from a glass outdoors on a deck, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Consciousness is dimmed by disorder, including addiction, and illuminated by insight, including during addiction treatments.

Curriculum Vitae