Scientists identify ‘neural fingerprint’ of psychedelic drugs in the brain

Analysis of more than 500 brain scans finds LSD, psilocybin and other psychedelics increase cross-talk between brain systems

Scientists have identified a hallmark signature produced by psychedelic drugs in the human brain when users experience their mind-altering effects.

The “neural fingerprint” of the psychedelic trip was spotted among hundreds of brain scans of people on LSD, psilocybin, DMT, mescaline and ayahuasca, pointing to a shared impact on the brain’s behaviour.