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Related Concept Videos

Entropy02:39

Entropy

Salt particles that have dissolved in water never spontaneously come back together in solution to reform solid particles. Moreover, a gas that has expanded in a vacuum remains dispersed and never spontaneously reassembles. The unidirectional nature of these phenomena is the result of a thermodynamic state function called entropy (S). Entropy is the measure of the extent to which the energy is dispersed throughout a system, or in other words, it is proportional to the degree of disorder of a...
Entropy01:18

Entropy

The first law of thermodynamics is quantitatively formulated via an equation relating the internal energy of a system, the heat exchanged by it, and the work done on it. A quantitative formulation of the second law of thermodynamics leads to defining a state function, the entropy.
When an ideal gas expands isothermally, the disorder in the gas increases. From the molecular perspective, the gas molecules have more volume to move around in.
Consider an infinitesimal step in the expansion, which...
Organization of the Brain01:30

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...
Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation01:13

Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System01:15

Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System

The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
Entropy within the Cell01:22

Entropy within the Cell

A living cell's primary tasks of obtaining, transforming, and using energy to do work may seem simple. However, the second law of thermodynamics explains why these tasks are harder than they appear. None of the energy transfers in the universe are completely efficient. In every energy transfer, some amount of energy is lost in a form that is unusable. In most cases, this form is heat energy. Thermodynamically, heat energy is defined as the energy transferred from one system to another that is...

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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Perspectives on Neuroscience
26:41

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

The entropic brain today.

Robin L Carhart-Harris1,2

  • 1Carhart-Harris Lab, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.

Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|June 10, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The entropic brain hypothesis links brain entropy to consciousness. Increased brain entropy correlates with expansive states like meditation, while decreased entropy is seen in reduced consciousness states.

Keywords:
EEGcomplexityconsciousnesscriticalityentropic brainentropyfMRIpsychedelics

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychology

Background:

  • The entropic brain hypothesis, proposed in 2014 and revised in 2018, posits a relationship between brain entropy and the scale of phenomenal consciousness.
  • This hypothesis suggests that states of consciousness characterized by expansion exhibit higher brain entropy, while states of reduced or absent consciousness show lower brain entropy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize the evidence supporting the entropic brain hypothesis.
  • To explore the validity (convergent, correlative, predictive, discriminative, external) of the entropic brain model across various conscious states.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and evidence supporting the entropic brain hypothesis.
  • Analysis of studies examining brain entropy in diverse states of consciousness, including expansive and reduced states.
  • Evaluation of the hypothesis's predictive, discriminative, and external validity.

Main Results:

  • The entropic brain hypothesis is supported by convergent, correlative, predictive, discriminative, and external validity.
  • Increased brain entropy under psilocybin predicts improved mental health outcomes.
  • Brain entropy changes selectively indicate the breadth of subjective experience, distinguishing it from arousal.

Conclusions:

  • The entropic brain hypothesis provides a robust and useful model for understanding variations in conscious states.
  • The model's principles have potential applications beyond neuroscience, such as in artificial intelligence.
  • Further research can build upon this model to explore consciousness more deeply.