This double-blind study (n=23) using eye-tracking found that high doses of psilocybin mushrooms (0.5-3g dried) caused more localised visual exploration of paintings and less entropic fixation patterns compared to low doses, while increasing subjective emotional intensity without affecting aesthetic ratings of the artworks.
Abstract of Acute effects of psilocybin on the dynamics of gaze fixations during visual aesthetic perception
“Serotonergic psychedelics are remarkable for their capacity to induce variable yet reproducible modifications to human consciousness. The acute effects of these compounds include perceptual alterations, predominantly in the visual domain, yet these alterations have been mostly documented only by subjective reports. We used eye-tracking to quantify the effects of low vs. high doses of psilocybin mushrooms on eye movements during the exploration of complex visual stimuli under semi-naturalistic conditions, focusing on the case of aesthetic perception. The experimental condition (high vs. low dose) was a priori unknown to participants and experimenters. High doses resulted in a more local visual exploration of paintings, and a less entropic distribution of fixations. While psilocybin altered gaze behavior and increased subjective emotional intensity and feelings of flow, it did not affect the aesthetic ratings of the stimuli, suggesting a dissociation between perceptual and evaluative aspects of aesthetic experience. These findings suggest that psilocybin may influence gaze fixation by altering the perception of low-level visual features, including textures, shapes, and colors. Our work highlights the possibility of investigating psychedelics by addressing their effect on behavior under complex naturalistic conditions, contributing to maintaining subject engagement while also increasing the ecological validity of the findings.“
Authors: Stephanie Muller, Federico Cavanna, Laura de la Fuente, Nicolás Bruno, Tomás Ariel D’Amelio, Carla Pallavicini & Enzo Tagliazucchi
Summary of Acute effects of psilocybin on the dynamics of gaze fixations during visual aesthetic perception
This study explores how psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic found in mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus, affects the dynamics of gaze fixation during visual aesthetic perception. While the perceptual changes induced by psychedelics—especially in the visual domain—are well known, they have typically been documented through subjective self-reports. The authors aimed to address this gap by applying eye-tracking technology to objectively measure changes in visual behaviour under the influence of psilocybin.
Classic psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline are known to induce profound changes in perception, emotion, cognition, and sense of self. These effects are reliably reproducible despite variations in dose, setting, and individual traits. Perceptual alterations commonly include distortions in vision and hearing, altered bodily sensations, synaesthesia (where senses blend), and changes in the perception of time. Reports frequently mention that ordinary stimuli can gain unusual significance or emotional salience.
Earlier research into psychedelics often lacked methodological rigour, relying heavily on subjective accounts and basic behavioural measures. However, recent technological advancements—including neuroimaging and eye-tracking—have enabled more objective investigations. Despite this, most current studies still emphasise subjective experience, neglecting detailed behavioural analysis. This study, therefore, aims to fill that gap by investigating how psilocybin alters eye movements and aesthetic perception in a semi-naturalistic environment, offering an ecologically valid setting that maintains experimental control.
Find this paper
Acute effects of psilocybin on the dynamics of gaze fixations during visual aesthetic perception
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10206-8
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Cite this paper (APA)
Muller, S., Cavanna, F., de la Fuente, L., Bruno, N., D’Amelio, T. A., Pallavicini, C., & Tagliazucchi, E. (2025). Acute effects of psilocybin on the dynamics of gaze fixations during visual aesthetic perception. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 24763.
Study details
Compounds studied
Psilocybin
Topics studied
Healthy Subjects
Study characteristics
Original
Double-Blind
Within-Subject
Randomized
Participants
23
Humans
Compound Details
The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times
Psilocybin 0.5 - 3mg | 2x