Israeli Neuroscientist Studies Psychedelic Fears and Brain Flexibility Through Dance

Michal Dobrovinsky, a 31-year-old neuroscience PhD student from Tel Aviv, researches the effects of psychedelics on brain flexibility and subjective experience at Tel Aviv University and Ichilov Hospital. Her doctoral work includes two main projects: one examining how psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, influences brain plasticity and motor learning through the dance language Gaga, developed by Ohad Naharin. This study measures participants’ brain activity and movement before and after psilocybin or placebo intake to assess changes in learning complex motor skills like dance.

The second project explores the micro-phenomenology of challenging psychedelic experiences, specifically the mechanics behind the fear of "going crazy" during a psychedelic trip. Dobrovinsky uses in-depth interviews to analyze the subtle internal processes leading up to this fear, aiming to demystify and reduce its suddenness and threat. She draws parallels to epilepsy research, where recognizing early psychological signs can reduce the shock of seizures, suggesting similar benefits in understanding mental health crises.

Dobrovinsky emphasizes that psychedelics reveal pre-existing delicate aspects of consciousness rather than creating new ones, highlighting the complex social pressures around mental health and sanity. She also hosts the "Brain Sister" podcast on ynet’s Be.po platform, aiming to make neuroscience accessible and foster self-compassion through scientific understanding.

Looking ahead, Dobrovinsky would invest a hypothetical million-dollar grant into researching psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression, focusing on identifying suitable patients and maximizing lasting therapeutic effects. Her work contributes to advancing psychedelic science and mental health treatment in Israel.