Research Topic: cognitive enhancement

Psilocybin’s effects on cognition and creativity: A scoping review

mycolabadmin

This comprehensive review examines how psilocybin affects thinking abilities and creativity. Researchers found that large doses initially impair mental performance during the experience, but small doses may enhance creativity. Importantly, the cognitive effects appear to improve after the acute effects wear off, suggesting initial impairment doesn’t cause lasting damage. The review emphasizes the need for more rigorous long-term studies to better understand psilocybin’s effects on brain function.

Read More »

Leveraging psychedelic neuroscience to boost human creativity using artificial intelligence

mycolabadmin

Psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin enhance creativity by disrupting the brain’s Default Mode Network, allowing people to break free from rigid thinking patterns. This paper proposes that artificial intelligence systems could be designed to mimic these same cognitive effects—introducing novel information, making unexpected connections, and gradually expanding comfort with new ideas—thereby enhancing human creativity without drugs. By personalizing AI systems to each person’s personality type and gradually increasing novelty levels, these tools could make creative thinking accessible to people who might not naturally gravitate toward it.

Read More »

Moral enhancement and cheapened achievement: Psychedelics, virtual reality and AI

mycolabadmin

This paper examines whether using drugs or technology to become a more moral person cheapens the value of that achievement, similar to debates about ‘cheating’ through cognitive enhancers. The authors argue that realistic applications of psychedelics, virtual reality, and AI—when used to facilitate rather than replace moral learning—can actually preserve what makes moral improvement valuable: our own effort, reflection, and engagement with moral reasons.

Read More »

Three Different Types of β-Glucans Enhance Cognition: The Role of the Gut-Brain Axis

mycolabadmin

Researchers tested three types of β-glucans—fiber compounds found in mushrooms, oats, and other foods—to see if they could improve memory in mice. All three types enhanced recognition memory and reduced brain inflammation, while only oat β-glucan significantly changed gut bacteria composition. The findings suggest that different β-glucans may help prevent cognitive decline through different mechanisms involving the gut-brain connection.

Read More »
Scroll to Top