The ethics of research on 'conscious' artificial brains

Authors lay out an ethical framework that assumes brain organoids already have consciousness. The paper argues that this framework is not exclusive to brain organoids and can be applied to anything that is perceived to hold consciousness.

Recalled experiences surrounding death: More than hallucinations?

Scientific advances in the 20th and 21st centuries have led to a major evolution in the understanding of death. At the same time, for decades, people who have survived an encounter with death have recalled unexplained lucid episodes involving heightened consciousness and awareness. These have been reported using the popular -- yet scientifically ill-defined -- term 'near-death experiences'.

New study explores relationship between psychedelics and consciousness

A new study addresses the question of whether psychedelics might change the attribution of consciousness to a range of living and nonliving things.

Audio files are being used as 'digital drugs', survey suggests

A new study sheds light on the little-known phenomenon of binaural beats, where sounds purportedly evoke psychoactive effects.

Spirituality can improve quality of life for heart failure patients, study finds

Numerous studies have shown that spirituality can help improve quality of life for people with chronic diseases like cancer. According to a literature review, spirituality can also have a positive impact on quality of life for heart failure patients.

Largest ever psychedelics study maps changes of conscious awareness to neurotransmitter systems

In the world's largest study on psychedelics and the brain, a team of researchers have shown how drug-induced changes in subjective awareness are anatomically rooted in specific neurotransmitter receptor systems.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy benefits people with depression through promoting self-kindness

New research shows that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can help promote self-kindness in people with a history of depression, thereby putting their bodies in a state of safety and relaxation.