Cited by 574Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchPhilosophy and Theoretical ScienceEmbodied and Extended Cognition

The default-mode, ego-functions and free-energy: a neurobiological account of Freudian ideas

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Carhart-Harris, R. L., Friston, K. J.·2010·Brain

Abstract

This article explores the notion that Freudian constructs may have neurobiological substrates. Specifically, we propose that Freud's descriptions of the primary and secondary processes are consistent with self-organized activity in hierarchical cortical systems and that his descriptions of the ego are consistent with the functions of the default-mode and its reciprocal exchanges with subordinate brain systems. This neurobiological account rests on a view of the brain as a hierarchical inference or Helmholtz machine. In this view, large-scale intrinsic networks occupy supraordinate levels of hierarchical brain systems that try to optimize their representation of the sensorium. This optimization has been formulated as minimizing a free-energy; a process that is formally similar to the treatment of energy in Freudian formulations. We substantiate this synthesis by showing that Freud's descriptions of the primary process are consistent with the phenomenology and neurophysiology of rapid eye movement sleep, the early and acute psychotic state, the aura of temporal lobe epilepsy and hallucinogenic drug states.

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  • Feelings originate in subcortical structures and serve as expressions of basic unmet emotional needs and motivations.

    “These findings suggest that feelings originate in subcortical structures and serve as expressions of basic unmet emotional needs and motivations.”

    From Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach (2025) · cites this paper as [116]

    The Functional anatomy of the default-mode section (page unavailable) links limbic and subcortical systems to emotional processing and motivational salience, which supports part of the claim. It does not say that feelings generally originate in those structures or that they express unmet emotional needs; searches for “basic emotional needs” and “feelings originate” found no such account. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Breuer J Freud S Studies of hysteria 1895 London Vintage Vol. 2, Standard edn
  2. Eisner B Bradley PB Deniker P Radouco-Thomas C Observations on possible order within the unconscious Neuro-Psychopharmacology. Proc. 1st International Congress for Neuro-Psychopharmacology 1959 London Elsevier 439 41
  3. Grof S Realms of the human unconscious 1975 London Souvenir Press
  4. Hobson JA 13 Dreams freud never had 2005 New York Pi Press
  5. Hughlings-Jackson J Lectures on Epilespy Br Med J 1879 1 141 3 PMC2239387 20749103

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Authors
Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Friston, K. J.
Affiliations
  • Imperial College London (GB)
  • Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging (GB)
Corresponding author
Carhart-Harris, R. L.
Venue
Brain
Published
2010-02-28
Volume
133
Issue
4
Pages
1265-1283
ISSN
  • 0006-8950 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2156
OpenAlex
W2107557962
Cited by
574
References
279
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 62 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 78 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 27
FWCI
3.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Brain (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust (088130)
  • Beckley Foundation
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
Keywords
Freudian theory, primary process, secondary processes, ego, default mode network, free energy principle, Helmholtz machine, self-organization, REM sleep, psychosis, temporal lobe epilepsy, hallucinations, psychoanalysis and neuroscience
MeSH terms
Animals, Mental Disorders, Brain, Brain Mapping, Cognition, Ego, Freudian Theory, Humans

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