Does the combination of psychedelics and meditation enhance mystical experiences?

Researchers assessed whether combining psychedelics with meditation increases mindfulness, compassion, insight, and mystical-type transcendence to a higher degree than meditation with a placebo.

Health professionals' responses to stress in critical care scenarios and the risk of burnout

A study assessed the psychobiological functioning of 27 Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical doctors and paramedics, stressing the importance of recovery periods.

Are psi researchers more like lay believers or sceptics?

A study shows that academics who work with psi differ from lay psi individuals, but not from sceptics, in actively open-minded thinking.

Did you know that the human brain can study itself?

It seems like a paradox, but it's true! The brain, responsible for our consciousness and perception, has the unique ability to study itself. But how can an organ analyze itself? How can the brain serve as both the subject and the tool of its study? A recent review, led by Simone Battaglia, delved into these questions, combining philosophical and neuroscientific perspectives. In trying to understand itself, the brain faces a unique dilemma: how can a complex system analyze its functions without an external reference point? This dilemma is compared to the philosophical concept of "self-reference", where a system must define and understand itself from within. Another key issue is the dichotomy between scientific objectivity and the subjectivity of conscious experience. The study suggests that a complete understanding of the brain and mind requires an approach that integrates both aspects. Effectively, scientists combine advanced brain imaging techniques, such as MRI, which studies the brain at structural and functional levels, with introspection, the process of reflecting on thoughts and experiences. These complementary approaches allow for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying consciousness and perception. Studying how the brain generates different states of consciousness can help identify signs of disorders such as depression or schizophrenia, and new ways to treat post-traumatic stress, for example. There is still much to discover, but these studies could pave the way for new insights into understanding and addressing the complexities of the human mind. This review was published in the scientific journal Physics of Life Reviews, in the article The paradox of the self-studying brain as part of the research project 235/22 - SPARKS: Driving associative plasticity in the cortically blind brain to promote recovery of visual awareness to promote recovery of visual awareness, supported by the BIAL Foundation.

How does the brain learn from rewards and punishments?

Our brains select the most important information and focus on it. To make decisions, they evaluate whether each stimulus is positive or negative. Positive stimuli encourage approach, while negative ones lead to avoidance, aiding in survival. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a central role in this process, but the functioning of its neurons is not yet fully understood. The team led by Carina Soares-Cunha studied the D1 and D2 neurons in the NAc to understand how they distinguish stimuli and influence learning. Using advanced imaging in mice, they observed that associative learning (when a stimulus is associated with a reward or punishment), both types of neurons are activated and work together, but in different ways. However, when associations change, such as when a negative stimulus no longer has an unpleasant consequence, D2 neurons are essential for extinguishing that aversive association. Since difficulties in modifying negative associations are linked to anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, better understanding the function of D2 neurons may help develop new treatments. This study was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, in the article Dynamic representation of appetitive and aversive stimuli in nucleus accumbens shell D1- and D2-medium spiny neurons, as part of research project 175/20 - The role of nucleus accumbens in the perception of natural rewards, supported by the BIAL Foundation.

Interview with Ralph Adolphs: "Ambitious science is becoming more and more expensive"

The neuroscientist Ralph Adolphs (Caltech, USA), President of the Jury, challenges organised groups of scientists to nominate outstanding papers, underlining the significant increase in the prize amount to €350,000 and its growing reputation as a prelude to the Nobel Prize. He highlights the Award's altruistic nature and unique criteria, which continue to elevate the global recognition and impact of groundbreaking biomedical research. Nominations are open until June 30.