Is increased connectivity subjective?

The concept of increased connectivity, especially in the context of psychedelics, involves both objective changes in brain communication and subjective experiences. Andrew Huberman explores this topic with Robin Carhart-Harris, focusing on how psychedelics activate the serotonin 2A receptor, leading to increased brain connectivity. They discuss the challenge in distinguishing whether this increased connectivity causes the subjective experiences of hallucinations and altered thinking, or if both phenomena occur in parallel due to circular causality 1.

Furthermore, Carhart-Harris notes that enhanced communication between brain regions under the influence of psychedelics often correlates with the magnitude of subjective effects reported by users. This increased global functional connectivity continues to be a key area of research in understanding the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics 2.

Thus, while increased connectivity can be measured objectively in brain studies, its interpretation and impact are inherently subjective, influenced by individual experiences and perceptions.