A groundbreaking new theory is reshaping scientific understanding of how psychedelics affect the human brain, proposing that substances like psilocybin, LSD, and others may temporarily grant dominance to the right hemisphere. According to a recently published model—known as HEALS (Hemispheric Annealing and Lateralization Under Psychedelics)—this shift could fuel increases in empathy, creativity, and emotional intelligence, marking a significant step forward in the quest to harness psychedelics for therapeutic purposes (Neuroscience News).
For readers in Thailand and throughout Asia, where mental health stigma and treatment gaps remain persistent public health challenges, these findings have potentially profound significance. As authorities in Thailand explore innovative approaches to mental wellness—including the careful re-examination of traditional therapies—international advances in understanding the mind’s capacity to heal through neuroplasticity have never been more relevant.
Drifting away from the long-standing left-brain/right-brain dichotomy that pigeonholes the left hemisphere as purely logical and the right as solely creative, the HEALS model suggests a far more nuanced interplay. Under everyday conditions, the brain’s hemispheres work in tandem, with the left hemisphere typically exerting hierarchical control, focusing attention on details and individual components of tasks—be it problem-solving at work or foraging for food in ancient times. The right hemisphere, by contrast, specializes in holistic perspective, emotional nuance, and social awareness.
However, according to the HEALS theory spearheaded by a postdoctoral medical scholar and psychiatrist at Ohio State University’s Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, psychedelics disrupt this established hierarchy. During the altered state induced by these substances, neuroimaging studies reveal surges of metabolic activity in the frontal regions of the right hemisphere, effectively releasing this side from the usual inhibitory reign of the left.
“One of the most intriguing effects observed under psychedelics is a kind of neural harmony—a novel encounter between the left and right hemisphere’s ways of perceiving the world,” explained the Ohio State psychiatrist, whose dual expertise as both a clinical practitioner and neuroscience researcher adds weight to the HEALS proposal.
This neurological realignment appears to translate into lived experiences of greater empathy, psychological flexibility, insight, and creative problem solving—qualities often described by participants in both clinical research and traditional psychedelic rituals. Published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, the theory synthesizes evidence from neuroimaging, clinical experience, and comparisons with other altered states such as deep meditation and trance, which similarly reinforce right-hemispheric networks (Journal of Psychopharmacology).
Critical to understanding the model is appreciating how each hemisphere processes reality. When areas of the right hemisphere are damaged (for instance, by stroke), patients can experience tunnel vision, literally ignoring half their world. Those who lose left hemisphere function tend to retain broader, more holistic awareness—an echo, the author suggests, of the psychedelic state. “Many patterns seen in right hemisphere loss versus left hemisphere loss mirror the changes people report on psychedelics,” the Ohio State expert noted.
Traditional hypotheses about the psychedelic state have focused largely on a general “unleashing” of cognition, attributed to reduced regulatory input from the brain’s frontal lobes. While some aspects of this remain true, the HEALS model posits that it is the rebalancing of hemispheric power—specifically, the lifting of left-brain inhibition and the subsequent enhancement of right-brain functions—that truly underpins the characteristic mental and emotional breakthroughs.
Supporting this, neuroimaging studies consistently show rightward shifts in activity following ingestion of serotonergic psychedelics. Functional MRI data indicate heightened blood flow and glucose metabolism in right frontal regions—biomarkers associated with social intelligence, emotional clarity, and what researchers call “the broadening of the attentional window.” People under the influence frequently report enhanced feelings of connection, empathy, harmony, and insight about themselves and their environments.
Interestingly, the model finds a strong parallel between the brain changes seen in psychedelic states and those arising from sustained mindfulness meditation. Long-term meditators, too, show increased thickness and robustness of right-hemispheric neural networks. The implication, as the HEALS theory asserts, is that psychedelics may offer a rapid route to some of the same benefits achieved through years of contemplative practice—suggesting that with care and follow-up, such gains might be both enhanced and sustained (Science Daily).
The potential for right-brain empowerment holds particular resonance in Thailand, where the intersection of Buddhist meditative heritage and cutting-edge mental health research is gaining momentum. With mindfulness and compassion at the core of Thai spiritual traditions, the therapeutic use of interventions that bolster these traits—whether through meditation or exploratory clinical research into psychedelics—may offer new avenues for care. Notably, a growing number of Thai universities and hospitals are beginning to collaborate with international research consortia on mental health innovation (Bangkok Post), indicating broadening local interest in how ancient and modern approaches can work in concert.
Despite promising results, experts emphasize the need for caution and nuanced interpretation. The neuroscientist behind the HEALS model points out that the brain’s workings defy easy explanation, warning against “fixating on a single model or explanation.” Instead, the evolution of psychedelic science should proceed with a healthy mix of humility and rigorous testing, as additional imaging and clinical trials further clarify the precise relationship between neural activity, consciousness, and therapeutic outcome.
The societal implications of this emerging science are far-reaching. In the United States and parts of Europe, treatments involving supervised psychedelic administration are edging closer to mainstream approval for conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and end-of-life anxiety (NIH). In Thailand, where anxiety and depression persist as leading causes of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), the possibility of integrating safe, evidence-based right-brain-activating therapies could provide new hope for treatment-resistant patients (World Health Organization Thailand).
However, there are cultural and regulatory challenges to navigate. Psychedelic substances remain strictly controlled under Thai law, echoing prohibitions common across much of Asia. Revision of these laws to permit research or monitored clinical use would require wide consultation with medical authorities, Buddhist communities, mental health professionals, and policymakers. Nevertheless, the growing international evidence base, paired with a unique cultural openness to mind-expanding spiritual practice, sets the stage for thoughtful dialogue.
A historical perspective also sheds light on the current debate. While Thailand is not widely associated with psychedelic shamanism as found in some Indigenous cultures, the country boasts a rich tradition of herbal medicine and spiritual healing. Thai folklore abounds with references to roots and leaves said to enhance clarity, insight, and emotional harmony. In contemporary urban centers, meditation retreats and mindfulness centers draw tens of thousands each year, reflecting a widespread societal desire for deeper well-being and self-understanding (Wikipedia: Thai Traditional Medicine).
The HEALS model further suggests possible future directions: could right-brain empowering substances or practices enhance Thailand’s already-strong commitment to education, empathy, and creative problem-solving? In classrooms, workplaces, and therapeutic settings, fostering right-mindedness could lead to more harmonious relationships, deeper learning, and innovative thinking. Caution will be essential to prevent misuse and to ensure rigorous safeguards for any research or applied use.
Moving forward, Thai readers can play a role in shaping the national conversation. For those interested in mindfulness, compassion, and emotional intelligence, beginning or deepening a meditation practice offers a well-proven route to many of the brain benefits neuroimaging now attributes to psychedelics. Mental health professionals, educators, and policymakers should monitor global research closely, engage with ethical debates, and seek collaboration with international neuroscience communities.
For those living with mental health challenges, the most important step remains seeking appropriate care from licensed professionals—whether in traditional, integrative, or modern clinical settings. As research continues, Thailand’s blend of ancient wisdom and emerging science could help steer an innovative, inclusive, and culturally grounded path toward holistic well-being.
For further reading and participation in ongoing research conversations, Thai readers are encouraged to consult open-access journals such as the Journal of Psychopharmacology, reputable science news sources, and official updates from Thai ministries of health and education.