From Karl Lynch
In response to Dana Mackenzie’s article on LSD hallucinations
(23 June, p 26)
I would like to say that this is a great starting point for modelling the
effects of such drugs on the brain. However, Mackenzie should listen more to the
people who have first-hand knowledge of these drugs.
The hallucinations are not driven solely by visual input but also play off
the emotional state of the user. The hallucinogenic experience is not always
ordered and does not always produce regular patterns. It is common to experience
spontaneous hallucination with no regular shape. Depending on your emotional
state, hallucinations may be frightening and chaotic or more pleasant, ordered
and geometric.
Unfortunately we have yet to see any effect in a neural network that can be
classed as afraid, happy or bored.
Belfast
