[smart (OP)]

Conscious access of the mind via introspection is essential in the empirical study of consciousness. The "conscious access hypothesis" is based on the global access of information in the cerebral cortex, an emerging property of consciousness. However, the scientific methodology of introspection remains poorly understood. Is it possible to develop a methodology to study how computational analysis of consciousness affect our subjective experience through cognitive information processing in the cerebral cortex? Could introspection become the study and research workbench of the computational theory of the mind?

[smart (OP)]

Synaptic hypercomputation of conscious experience via THC administration:

Could introspection be used to cognitively process informations in the cerebral cortex? Does metacognitive skills can be developed via conscious access of self-organized informations to acquire (compute) new learnings of consciousness? I propose "quantum introspection" as a novel scientific method to hypercompute conscious experience into synaptic activity using exogenous THC administration. Furthermore, the non-locality of quantum introspection using intracellular CB1 activation suggest conscious access as the hypercomputational capacity of synapses using synaptic quantum tunnelling.

[puppypower]

Introspection will be needed to research the final frontier; the nature of consciousness. For example, dreams show how the brain can generate content apart from our choice and will. Dreams cannot be fully analyzed with only third person observations of brain hardware. Dreams need to be experienced in the first person, in real time, to gather subtle data you can't see with a hardware approach.

The scientific method, when it comes to consciousness, is more geared toward addressing the hardware side. Introspection will be the tool needed to address the software side of consciousness.

An analogy is say you have a computer. It is not easy to infer what software is running simply by looking how the hardware of the computer is behaving. One might be able to distinguish between extreme gaming and low CPU usage word processing, but not between two extreme games. This will require looking at the code. 

I have often said that humans have two centers of consciousness. This can be observed with introspection. It may not be obvious using a hardware approach. The inner self is the primary center and is connected to the unconscious mind. It controls personality firmware all of which can be observed with introspection. These can be partially inferred with a hardware approach, because it is firmware; hard/soft. But there are software aspects that are better addressed with first person observation.

Introspection is a skill that one needs to develop. One need to learn to become both the scientist and the experiment. Your brain and psyche will become the experiment. Another part of your; secondary center, will be the observer. Often one has to be both subjective and objective at the same time; allow subjectivity so you can observe and analyze it.

Computational approaches may be useful for the conscious mind and or the ego center. However, they will not be as useful for the inner self. The inner self uses a much faster 3-D language, whereas logic and language is slower and more 2-D. The mechanics of language; words, sentences and structure is processed in the left brain. The inner self tends to use the right brain, and a very fast/dense 3-D language often called symbols.

An emotional valence, which is processed in the right brain, can seem simple; love. Bu that tone is often a very complex data signal; compressed into 3-D. The love one may feel is the result of a lot of water under the bridge. The analogy is playing 1 minute of speech in 1 second. All the complexity of the language sounds will appear like a buzz, but it nevertheless contains all the data. Introspection skills allow one to intercept 3-D signals.

Introspection experiments can also be very dangerous since one is a stranger in a land where you don't know the customs. You can unknowingly mess with the operating system and cause a destabilization which can limited your ability to be objective. This is when introspection can break down and not be scientific. One may merge with firmware, or ride the white water rapids struggling not to drown; no value as a scientist. But if you survive, you get map a path so it is easier for the next generation of explorers to may get even further.

The reason introspection is not yet a part of science is, science is afraid of first person science; rightfully so.

[smart (OP)]

Pharmacological introspection of the mind via THC administration: Could THC potentiate introspection skills ?

Consider the possibility of a drug that enhances introspection. Might there be drugs that increase the mind's perception of what drugs are doing to it? The hypothesized drug would increase the self-referential qualities of the nervous system. "Pay attention to attention."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702330/

[PhysBang]

No.

[smart (OP)]

Please explain your objections. I don't see how THC could not be a pharmacological agonist to CB1 receptor via introspection.   

[JimBob]

My original post was somehow deleted.

I am for "YES"

To be scientifically objective, a scientist must have a completely open mind, especially if his belief system is inimical to the question.

I then suggested a position held by Alexander Pope in "Essay on Man"

"Know then thyself
Presume not God to scan
The proper study of mankind is man."

[smart (OP)]

The core hypothesis is the optimistic expectation that the nervous system and consciousness have the potential to be self-referential in an accurate and positive manner. Undoubtedly, delusion and addiction are possible and known to be potential problems with respect to drugs that alter the mind. Having said that, it is reasonable to entertain the hypothesis that the mind can inform as well as fool itself. Introspection is a name for processes whereby the mind of an individual reflects on and assesses itself. If the optimistic hypothesis is accepted, then a further hypothesis is that all introspection is not equal and some modes of introspection are better than others. A further hypothesis is that enhancement and education of introspection is possible.

Is it possible to enhance pharmacological introspection by using THC to increase conscious access to subjective experiences?

[dlorde]

Is it possible to enhance pharmacological introspection by using THC to increase conscious access to subjective experiences?

We already have access to subjective experiences; by most assessments, consciousness is subjective experience (e.g. Thomas Nagel - an organism has conscious mental states, "if and only if there is something that it is like to be that organism—something it is like for the organism").

It is certainly possible to potentiate - and distort - subjective experience by pharmacological means (psychotropics). This can provide a limited degree of insight into the construction of perceptual reality (via perceptual distortions), and the construction of the self (through distortions of self-image, perspective, location, ownership, boundaries/extent, agency, feelings, etc).

But there is a potential catch with explicit introspection and that is the mapping of the conscious self. It appears that, just as our experiential reality is an internal model corrected by sensory feedback, the conscious self is a construct based on a simplified (and inaccurate) internal self-model (probably generated by the same processes that provide theory of mind); so conscious introspection is likely to elaborate or, worse, confabulate, on this partial model, the person we think we are, rather than the hidden bulk below conscious awareness that produces the 'real' person. I doubt much work has been done in this respect as it is so difficult to study, but it seems likely that in the absence of a deliberative route (Kahneman's 'System 2') to the subconscious, System 1's accessibility heuristic will play a part.

However, at a conference on consciousness I attended last weekend, a new study was described, that suggests that if you want to become closer to, or more conscious of, subconscious mental processes, meditation or mindfulness is the way to go; in a study of the chronometry of voluntary action (timing the build up of the readiness potential, and the subjective sense of decision, prior to volitional physical action, as per Benjamin Libet) subjects who practiced meditation or mindfulness showed a reduced gap between the onset of the readiness potential and conscious awareness of volition, compared to non-meditators. This suggests a reduced threshold of awareness for preconscious activity; a small step, but an interesting one.

[Alan McDougall]

Absolutely yes!

self-contemplation, self-examination
musing, reflection, rumination, thoughtfulness, contemplation, reflexion - a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
self-analysis, soul-searching - a penetrating examination of your own beliefs and motives

Alan

[JimBob]

Is it possible to enhance pharmacological introspection by using THC to increase conscious access to subjective experiences?

Yes. The downside is that using a chemical "crutch" to experience the subjective experience makes the ability to experience naturally occuring subjective experiences much more difficult.
The mind can learn to enter enhanced states without chemicals.

That is what eastern religions and meditation is all about.

[puppypower]

The core hypothesis is the optimistic expectation that the nervous system and consciousness have the potential to be self-referential in an accurate and positive manner. Undoubtedly, delusion and addiction are possible and known to be potential problems with respect to drugs that alter the mind. Having said that, it is reasonable to entertain the hypothesis that the mind can inform as well as fool itself. Introspection is a name for processes whereby the mind of an individual reflects on and assesses itself. If the optimistic hypothesis is accepted, then a further hypothesis is that all introspection is not equal and some modes of introspection are better than others. A further hypothesis is that enhancement and education of introspection is possible.

Is it possible to enhance pharmacological introspection by using THC to increase conscious access to subjective experiences?

There are two aspects of introspection; Scientist and the experiment. THC might be able to enhance the experimental side, but it may diminish the scientist side. For example, one may get the munchies. To analyze this as a scientist, one needs to make a conscious effort not to eat, so they can observe the induction. However, one may merge with the impulse; buy a pizza, losing the objectivity of the scientist.

[smart (OP)]

There are two aspects of introspection; Scientist and the experiment. THC might be able to enhance the experimental side, but it may diminish the scientist side. For example, one may get the munchies. To analyze this as a scientist, one needs to make a conscious effort not to eat, so they can observe the induction. However, one may merge with the impulse; buy a pizza, losing the objectivity of the scientist.

I have no doubts pharmacological introspection via THC is theoretically subjective. But to experimentally increase self-awareness and metacognitive skills may require an altered state of consciousness to detach the inner self from its physical body. Thus the objectivity of introspection is probably depending on the medium used to acquire new knowledges from conscious observation of the experiment.

[jerrygg38]

I have often said that humans have two centers of consciousness. This can be observed with introspection. It may not be obvious using a hardware approach. The inner self is the primary center and is connected to the unconscious mind. It controls personality firmware all of which can be observed with introspection. These can be partially inferred with a hardware approach, because it is firmware; hard/soft. But there are software aspects that are better addressed with first person observation.

   As a person with a bi-polar mind I try to analyze myself. I am hypermanic and go from normal to hypermanic and back to normal. I never suffer depressions. When In a very hyper state my outer mind communicates with my inner mind. Thus my brain has two different sections. My inner brain never seems to sleep. At night as I sleep it works. As an engineer I often had problems to solve which no one could solve. My inner brain would work out the problems and transfer the data to my outer brain as I awoke. At times during tests or solving the rubic cube, my outer brain could not get the answer. Then I would go into a robotic state and become only hands which were controlled by my inner brain.
  The problem I have always had with respect to my studies of the physics of the universe and religious quests was whether my inner mind had the right answer. At work it was easy. I used the answers and they were always right. On tests when I let my inner mind take over, I would always get 100%. So at different times I bring myself up to an excited level and get the data from my inner mind. But then my outer mind has to analyze the data and thus there is always a conflict as my outer mind always seek contrary answers as I try to disprove what my inner mind says. So there is always a battle for truth between both sections of my brain.

[Alan McDougall]

I have often said that humans have two centers of consciousness. This can be observed with introspection. It may not be obvious using a hardware approach. The inner self is the primary center and is connected to the unconscious mind. It controls personality firmware all of which can be observed with introspection. These can be partially inferred with a hardware approach, because it is firmware; hard/soft. But there are software aspects that are better addressed with first person observation.

  As a person with a bi-polar mind I try to analyze myself. I am hypermanic and go from normal to hypermanic and back to normal. I never suffer depressions. When In a very hyper state my outer mind communicates with my inner mind. Thus my brain has two different sections. My inner brain never seems to sleep. At night as I sleep it works. As an engineer I often had problems to solve which no one could solve. My inner brain would work out the problems and transfer the data to my outer brain as I awoke. At times during tests or solving the rubic cube, my outer brain could not get the answer. Then I would go into a robotic state and become only hands which were controlled by my inner brain.

  The problem I have always had with respect to my studies of the physics of the universe and religious quests was whether my inner mind had the right answer. At work it was easy. I used the answers and they were always right. On tests when I let my inner mind take over, I would always get 100%. So at different times I bring myself up to an excited level and get the data from my inner mind. But then my outer mind has to analyze the data and thus there is always a conflict as my outer mind always seek contrary answers as I try to disprove what my inner mind says. So there is always a battle for truth between both sections of my brain.

We are both bi-polar in fact since the age of 35 until now at the age of 76 I have battled against this curse and blessing. It opens doors to other realities and spiritual realms of extreme spirituality and I find that it has brought me closer to God rather than what would be expected. It is humans that shy away from me at times as if I were some sort of an alien from elsewhere in the universe. I find that in the hyper-manic state my focus is almost infinitely precise and sustainable.

[smart (OP)]

Could introspective skills be physiological evidences of increased grey matter volume and connectivity in the prefrontal cortex?

So, although each participant performed equally well at the task, their introspective abilities did vary considerably, the researchers confirmed. By comparing the MRI scans of each participant’s brain, they could then identify a correlation between introspective ability and the structure of a small area of the prefrontal cortex. An individual’s meta-cognitive, or “higher-thinking,” abilities were significantly correlated with the amount of gray matter in the right anterior prefrontal cortex and the structure of neighboring white matter, Rees and his team found.

These findings, however, could reflect the innate differences in our anatomy, or alternatively, the physical effects of experience and learning on the brain. The latter possibility raises the exciting prospect that there may be a way to “train” meta-cognitive abilities by exploiting the malleable nature of these regions of prefrontal cortex. But, more research is needed to explore the mental computations behind introspection—and then to link these computations to actual biological processes.

http://www.aaas.org/news/science-specific-brain-region-linked-introspective-thoughts

[smart (OP)]

Semantic priming in remitted patients with bipolar disorder. (2013) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22922076

Hyper-priming in cannabis users: a naturalistic study of the effects of cannabis on semantic memory function. (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20122742

The finding of decreased priming in patients with BD raises the possibility that semantic processing abnormalities in BD are of a different nature than those encountered in schizophrenia

The hypothesis that cannabis use may increase automatic semantic priming (hyper-priming) while the decreased priming in bipolar disorder patients suggests that introspection is biologically relevant to grey matter density. 

[Alan McDougall]

Semantic priming in remitted patients with bipolar disorder. (2013) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22922076

Hyper-priming in cannabis users: a naturalistic study of the effects of cannabis on semantic memory function. (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20122742

The finding of decreased priming in patients with BD raises the possibility that semantic processing abnormalities in BD are of a different nature than those encountered in schizophrenia

The hypothesis that cannabis use may increase automatic semantic priming (hyper-priming) while the decreased priming in bipolar disorder patients suggests that introspection is biologically relevant to grey matter density.

You might have a point but it is a moot point because in South Africa where I live just the possession of Pot is a crime!

However, just the opposite of what you are suggesting is that the use of cannabis actually worsens mental illnesses.

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/there-link-between-marijuana-use-
psychiatric-disorders


Several studies have linked marijuana use to increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, but whether and to what extent it actually causes these conditions is not always easy to determine.31 The amount of drug used, the age at first use, and genetic vulnerability have all been shown to influence this relationship. The strongest evidence to date concerns links between marijuana use and substance use disorders and between marijuana use and psychiatric disorders in those with a preexisting genetic or other vulnerability.

Recent research (see AKT1 Gene Variations and Psychosis) has found that marijuana users who carry a specific variant of the AKT1 gene, which codes for an enzyme that affects dopamine signaling in the striatum, are at increased risk of developing psychosis. The striatum is an area of the brain that becomes activated and flooded with dopamine when certain stimuli are present. One study found that the risk for psychosis among those with this variant was seven times higher for daily marijuana users compared with infrequent- or non-users.62

[jerrygg38]

We are both bi-polar in fact since the age of 35 until now at the age of 76 I have battled against this curse and blessing. It opens doors to other realities and spiritual realms of extreme spirituality and I find that it has brought me closer to God rather than what would be expected. It is humans that shy away from me at times as if I were some sort of an alien from elsewhere in the universe. I find that in the hyper-manic state my focus is almost infinitely precise and sustainable.

A fellow sufferer! I have been this way since birth. Yet in youth my bipolar nature was great and I considered it a blessing. At 42 I pushed myself to a higher limit which was stupid of me. I then started a study of God and the Universe. In the end I have spent 35 years in my studies. I refused to take any medicine. So I suffered the manic highs. It cost me financially but I managed to retire early and stay at middle class existence.
   So what did I accomplish? So I created many books with different perspectives and have very small sales on Kindle and Create space. Years ago I self published and it cost me a lot of money.
   I believe in God but I am not religious. I do produce religious and non-religous theories in my books.
   

[smart (OP)]

However, just the opposite of what you are suggesting is that the use of cannabis actually worsens mental illnesses.

I disagree. I believe cannabis use may actually heal mental disorders by enhancing introspective and metacognitive abilities of the mind: Metacognition and introspection are essential conscious activities to overcome psychiatric disorders using subconscious processing.

Most mental disorders are belief-based and are not caused by a neurological condition. It is the purpose of introspection to examine theses beliefs originating from the unconscious mind.   

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277324/