Psilocybin-assisted neurofeedback for the improvement of executive functions: a semi-naturalistic-lab feasibility study

But hasn't your doctor already prescribed psilocybin for your stroke recovery? WHY NOT? They are that fucking incompetent?

• psilocybin (26 posts to May 2014)

Psilocybin-assisted neurofeedback for the improvement of executive functions: a
semi-naturalistic-lab feasibility study

royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rstb
Article submitted to journal
Subject Areas:
Special Issue: Neurofeedback-new
territories and neurocognitive
mechanisms
Keywords:
Psychedelics, psilocybin,
frontal-midline theta, EEG
neurofeedback, executive functions,
cognitive enhancement
Author for correspondence:
Stefanie Enriquez-Geppert
Department of Clinical and
Developmental Neuropsychology
Faculty of Behavioural and Social
Sciences
University of Groningen
Grote Kruisstraat 2/1
9712 TS Groningen
The Netherlands
e-mail: s.enriquez.geppert@rug.nl
Psilocybin-assisted neurofeedback for the
improvement of executive functions: a
semi-naturalistic-lab feasibility study
Enriquez-Geppert, S.1,2, Krc, J.1,3, O’Higgins F. J.4,5, Lietz, M.1,6
1Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of
Groningen, The Netherlands
2Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical
Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
3Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and University
Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
4Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Trinity College
Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
5Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of
Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
6Department of Medicine, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg,
Fribourg, Switzerland
Widespread executive function deficits impair daily functioning in psychiatric
disorders. In this group, reduced frontal-midline-theta neurofeedback
responsiveness may be related to impaired neural plasticity. In our pioneering
study, we investigated the feasibility and practicality of integrating a
neuroplasticity agent by psilocybin-assisted neurofeedback. Thirty-seven
participants were divided into an experimental and a passive control group.
The experimental group received three microdose sessions followed by three
psilocybin-assisted neurofeedback sessions. Our results showed changes in self-
regulatory frontal-midline theta from session-to-session approaching significance.
Importantly, placebo ratings and expectations did not differ between the
two groups. There were no immediate improvements in the experimental
tasks assessing executive functions. However significant improvements were
observed in self-reported executive functions in daily life. Participants reported
improvements in working memory, shifting, monitoring and inhibition with high
effect sizes. In addition, the experimental group reported positive changes in
their priority areas, which included cognition, presence and mood. These results
suggest that psilocybin-assisted neurofeedback shows promise for a potential
transdiagnostic treatment. Future research should investigate the optimal timing
and duration of this pharmacological and neuroscientific combination. Overall,
our study highlights the feasibility and potential of this innovative approach,
emphasizing the potential for enhanced neuroplasticity that may amplify the
impact of neurofeedback.
© The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

2 royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rstb Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 0000000
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1. Introduction

Cognitive impairments is a transdiagnostic feature, common
to all forms of psychopathology, which in particular affects
executive functions (EFs) (1; 2). EFs orchestrate other cognitive
abilities to facilitate goal-driven actions and adapt behaviour in
novel demanding situations (3), thus EFs are pivotal for success
in daily life (4). Executive dysfunctions, on the other hand,
are associated with reduced autonomy (5), impeded functional
recovery (e.g. 6), and comprise the efficacy of both behavioural
and pharmacological therapies across a spectrum of disorders
(7; 8; 9; 10; 11). At the same time, global mental health problems
are on the rise, causing premature death and significant costs for
individuals, families, and society (12). This highlights the need
for better, accessible, and scalable intervention and prevention
programs, with an additional focus on enhancing executive
functioning. Unfortunately, the treatments of these disorders
target cognition with insufficient effects, leaving executive
dysfunctions insufficiently addressed (13; 14; 15).