Kenneth Shinozuka - Alzheimer’s, Consciousness, and the Psychedelic Brain
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Episode Summary, Show Notes, and Full Episode Recap:
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Kenneth Shinozuka discusses his transition from Alzheimer’s research at Harvard to consciousness and psychedelics research at Oxford. In the first half of the episode, Kenneth shares insights on Alzheimer’s, consciousness, and the power of music within the deteriorating brain. For the second half, we dive into his research on psychedelics and brain hierarchy, discussing his work on directedness of information flow as well as several related topics like entropy, connectome harmonics, desynchronization, and more. Finally, Kenneth shares an insightful perspective on the medicalization of psychedelics, discussing the role of neuroscience in optimizing treatment decisions as well as the importance of having a cultural matrix within which the drug is embedded.
Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction and Harvard Application Insights
00:44 Movie recommendations
03:34 The Impact of Alzheimer's on Kenneth’s Family
05:34 Innovating for Alzheimer's Care
09:07 The Journey into Consciousness
15:57 Music, Memory, and Alzheimer's
29:12 Understanding Visual Neglect
33:14 Exploring Proprioception and Conscious Awareness
34:16 Qigong and Expanding Proprioception
37:21 The Hard Problem of Consciousness
50:17 Symmetry Theory of Valence and Connectome Harmonics
01:08:32 Directed Information Flow and Entropy in the Brain
01:15:06 Introduction to LSD and Brain Activity
01:15:38 Understanding Neuron Communication
01:17:35 Directedness and Hierarchy in the Brain
01:18:50 Psychedelics and Brain Hierarchy
01:20:25 Research Findings on LSD and Brain Activity
01:23:33 Implications of Psychedelic Research
01:25:10 Challenges and Future Directions in Psychedelic Research
01:33:19 Psychedelic Therapy and Clinical Trials
01:38:33 Cultural Context and Psychedelic Use
01:45:27 Combining Traditional and Psychedelic Treatments
01:51:29 Conclusion and Future Work
Full Episode Recap:
Kenneth Shinozuka, a distinguished researcher with a background from Harvard and Oxford, offers insights into his unique journey through neuroscience research, particularly his focus on psychedelics, consciousness, and innovative therapeutic approaches. This blog post outlines my multifaceted discussion with Kenneth ranging from personal milestones to the latest advancements in neuroscience.
From Harvard Essays to Neuroscience
Kenneth’s journey to Harvard was marked by a memorable application essay focusing on his passion for movies, reflecting his broader interest in human consciousness. Editing a magazine called *Cine Man* in high school, he expressed his love for movies and stories, which laid the groundwork for his future explorations into the nature of consciousness.
The TED Talk and SafeWander
Kenneth’s innovative mindset shone through his TED Talk on SafeWander, a sensor developed to assist caregivers in monitoring Alzheimer’s patients. Inspired by his own grandfather's struggle with Alzheimer's, Kenneth leveraged sensor-based technologies to create a device that sent alerts when a loved one got out of bed. This project showcased his early commitment to blending technology and empathy in addressing real-world issues.
Bridging Eastern and Western Consciousness Philosophies
Kenneth’s research draws from a diverse array of philosophical perspectives. He mentions the authoritative book *The Power of Now* by Eckhart Tolle, which significantly influenced his understanding of consciousness. This book delves into the concept of living in the present moment, distinguishing between consciousness and the mind.
Psychedelics and Directed Information Flow
Significant portions of Kenneth's PhD research have been dedicated to understanding how psychedelics influence directed information flow in the brain. Traditional studies focused on undirected connectivity, but Kenneth's work highlights the importance of understanding how information travels directionally across brain regions under psychedelics. His findings suggest that psychedelics, like LSD, reduce hierarchical communication in the brain, promoting more bi-directional and democratic information flow.
Clinical Trials and Real-World Implications
Although psychedelics have shown promising results in clinical trials for conditions like depression and PTSD, Kenneth emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations. Initial small-scale studies indicated high remission rates for depression using psilocybin, but larger trials revealed a drop in efficacy and an increase in severe adverse effects, such as suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant depression patients.
The Role of Setting
Kenneth advocates for the contextual and meaningful administration of psychedelics. Drawing from indigenous practices, he suggests that the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics could be maximized by embedding them within a meaningful and supportive framework rather than in sterile clinical settings. This approach may better align with the profound and transformative potential of these substances.
Potential in Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation
Looking ahead, Kenneth is exploring the use of non-invasive brain stimulation to re-induce certain aspects of the psychedelic experience. This approach could potentially offer more precise and controlled therapeutic applications of psychedelics, paving the way for personalized medicine in mental health.
A Balanced View on Psychedelics
Kenneth's evolving perspective acknowledges that while psychedelics hold significant promise, they are not a universal remedy. Rather, they might serve as a part of a broader therapeutic toolkit, effective for some individuals but not for all. He underscores the need for open-mindedness and further research to fully understand and harness their potential.
Conclusion
Kenneth Shinozuka's work exemplifies the crucial intersection of science, technology, and empathy. His diverse research endeavors—from developing SafeWander to exploring the intricacies of consciousness and psychedelics—illustrate a commitment to advancing our understanding of the human mind. As Kenneth continues into his postdoctoral research, the scientific community eagerly anticipates further groundbreaking findings that could transform therapeutic practices and provide deeper insights into the nature of consciousness.
For more updates on Kenneth's research, you can visit his blog at blankhorizons.com or follow him on Twitter at @KFShinozuka
