While neuroscience and art seem to be quite opposite they interact in many ways. Noah Hutton describes how art and neuroscience interact when the brain perceives art, how the brain is interpreted by the art, and how art can imitate cognitive processes. The topic we discussed that I found most interesting was how psychedelic drugs can alter our perception through our nervous system, and how that can be interpreted into art and media.
In one of this weeks lecture videos, it talks about the state in between consciousness and unconsciousness. It says how psychedelic drugs, like LSD and Ayahuasca, are used to amplify this condition of the in-between. Hallucinogenic drugs intensify the dreamlike state in our subconscious. It creates vibrant images which the user can interpret in many different ways. Most people might use these drugs for a recreational reason but they can also be used for spiritual, religious, or a cultural significance. For example, Noah Hutton talks about “psychedelic art” and how it is a subculture of art that is created under the use of drugs.
Psychedelic experiences are a clear interaction between art and neuroscience. As mention in the lecture video, neurotransmitters are more often than not associated with human emotion. Serotonin is connected to depression while endorphins are connected to happiness. This should show that our neurological functions and our emotions are completely normal. However, when looking at the many different sciences we rarely talk about emotion and feelings in experiments, claiming that love and sadness do not lie within the boundaries of scientific explanation. Although the reactions occurring in our brain resulting in a psychedelic experience can physically be explained they are often perceived to be much more.
Hutton, Noah. “Art and Neuroscience: A State of the Union.” Art and Neuroscience: A State of the Union. N.p., 9 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 May 2016. <http://thebeautifulbrain.com/2012/09/art-and-neuroscience-state-of-the-union/>.
Huang, Mengfei. "The Neuroscience of Art." Stanford Journal of Neuroscience 2.1 (Fall 2009): 24-26. Stanford.edu. Web. 14 May 2016. <http://web.stanford.edu/group/co-sign/Huang.pdf>.
Riotta, Chris. "What Is Ayahuasca? The Truth About Peruvian Drug From 'Chelsea Does' Drugs Episode." News Mic. 25 Jan. 2016. Web. 14 May 2016. <http://mic.com/articles/133410/what-is-ayahuasca-the-truth-about-peruvian-drug-from-chelsea-does-drugs-episode#.CjF6ujjq1>.
Sillanoff, Megan. "Greetings from Texas: Things I Learned from "Chelsea Does"" Greetings from Texas: Things I Learned from "Chelsea Does" 25 Jan. 2016. Web. 14 May 2016.
Uconlineprogram. "Neuroscience-pt1.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 17 May 2012. Web. 13 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXjNbKDkYI>.
Myna, I really like your ideas on the use of psychedelic drugs. I've heard that many people in the technology industry will take psychedelics, like LSD, to bridge the gap between the unconscious and conscious to help them be more creative and find inspiration for new projects. I think it is so interesting to think that some of our greatest technologies were created by people who were seeking this state.
ReplyDeleteMyna,
ReplyDeleteI liked how you talked about the artistic components of psychedelic drugs. I think you incorporated an idea that not many people think about. People always have their predisposed judgement about drugs but never see it as a form of art. It has produced such creativity that may have never been reached previously.