CSTC theory of psychedelic action
202308221605
CSTC model of information processing proposes that deficits in early information processing may underlie alterations in perception, cognition, and the sense of self seen in psychedelic-induced ASC Vollenweider2001b (Review: Nichols2016) The inability to filter, inhibit, and screen exteroceptive and interoceptive stimuli may lead to sensory overload and a breakdown of cognitive integrity, leading to hallucinations and alterations of ego functioning.
In particular, deficits in thalamic gating result in impairment in the CSTC feedback loop, which results in excessive extero/interoceptive stimuli reaching frontal cortex and ACC, resulting in acute psychotic symptoms.