David Presti

Senior Lecturer of Neurobiology

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Research Interests

How chemical processes in the brain are related to manifestations of behavior remains one of the most fascinating and challenging issues in neuroscience. I am interested in how descriptions of the neurochemical mechanisms and behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs might contribute to increased understanding of the connection between physical processes in the brain and the psychology of mental states (the mind-body problem).

Selected Publications

OL Carter, DE Presti, et al. Meditation alters perceptual rivalry in Tibetan Buddhist monks. Current Biology 15: R412-R413 (2005).

MS Jacob & DE Presti. Endogenous psychoactive tryptamines reconsidered: an anxiolytic role for dimethyltryptamine. Medical Hypothesis 64: 930-937 (2005).

DE Presti & DE Nichols. Biochemistry and neuropharmacology of psilocybin mushrooms. In Teonanacatl: Sacred Mushrooms of Visions (edited by R Metzner). Green Earth Foundation (2004).

DE Presti. Psychoactive drugs and the chemistry of the brain and mind. In Encyclopedia of Brain and Behavior. (edited by VS Ramachandran). Academic Press (2002).

DE Presti & JE Beck. Strychnine and other enduring myths: Expert and user folklore surrounding LSD. In Psychoactive Sacramentals: the Vallombrosa Conference (edited by TB Roberts). San Francisco: Council on Spiritual Practices (2001).

JM Barrie & DE Presti. Digital plagiarism: The web giveth and the web shall taketh. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2(1): e6 (2000).

JM Barrie & DE Presti. The worldwide web as an instructional tool. Science 274: 371-372 (1996).

Last Updated 2006-09-22