Every psychedelic drug has its own mechanism of interaction with the Default Mode Network. Nevertheless, acute disruption in resting-state connectivity and increased functional connectivity between canonical resting-state networks seems to be a consistent finding in regard to modulation. 


Modulation of DMN

Gattuso, J. J., Perkins, D., Ruffell, S., Lawrence, A. J., Hoyer, D., Jacobson, L. H., Timmermann, C., Castle, D., Rossell, S. L., Downey, L. A., Pagni, B. A., Galvão-Coelho, N. L., Nutt, D., &amp; Sarris, J. (2022). Default mode network modulation by psychedelics: A systematic review. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 26(3), 155–188. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyac074 

Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A
Systematic Review

Currently, DMN modulation in terms of therapeutic effects is a theory and causality is hard to address in terms of internal validity. Furthermore, there are still discrepancies in the psychedelic mechanism of action which can obscure the origin of the therapeutic effects.

Limitations of DMN modulation with Psychedelics 

Default Mode Network modulation has been a consistent approach to understanding the effects and mechanisms of different psychedelic drugs. It is a current hypothesis that the relation of DMN modulation has a relation with the therapeutic effects of these drugs. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of this relation are still unclear.  

Alma College

The interacting brain regions that are engaged when we are not working on a task or focused on the external world. The same regions are active when we think about people (so our default thoughts are often about people).

Default mode network

Several studies have related mechanisms within the DMN and neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, PTSD, ADD, anxiety, schizophrenia, ADHD, and OCD. 

Therapeutic implications of Default Mode Network

DMN modulation by use of psychedelics 

This network includes the mesial prefrontal cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex, the hippocampus, the precuneus, the inferior parietal lobe,  the temporal lobe, and the angular gyrus.

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