V. Biological Strategies to Expand Human Intelligence: Neurotransmitter Modulation
Mitigating the Existential Risk of AI: Enhancing Human Intelligence beyond its Native Biological Potential
Table of Contents:
I. Overview and Introduction | II. The Inevitability and Existential Risk of Artificial General Intelligence | III. Understanding Human Intelligence | IV. Reaching vs. Expanding Biological Potential | V. Biological Strategies to Expand Human Intelligence: Neurotransmitter Modulation | VI. Biological Strategies to Expand Human Intelligence: Neurotrophins | VII. From Neurons to AI: The Surprising Symmetry of Emergence | VIII. Biological Strategies to expand Human Intelligence: Neurogenesis
In the previous sections, we discussed the inevitability and existential risk of artificial general intelligence (AGI), the nature of human intelligence, and the distinction between reaching and expanding our biological potential. We concluded that while reaching our biological potential through interventions like education, nutrition, and lifestyle changes is crucial, it will not be sufficient to mitigate the existential risk posed by advanced AGI. Therefore, we must explore strategies to expand our cognitive potential beyond its current biological limits.
This discussion delves into the frontier of biological interventions. These are aimed at substantially expanding cognitive capabilities. This will explore at a high level the potential of various cognitive-enhancing strategies such as neurotransmitter modulation, neurotrophins, enhancing neurogenesis, myelination, and delve into the possibilities of altering our genetic blueprint through gene editing. These strategies aim to push beyond our inherent biological boundaries set by nature and expand the potential of human intelligence, thereby contributing to our ongoing efforts to mitigate the existential risk of advanced AI. This overall discussion of ‘strategies to improve intelligence’ will be broken up into additional subsections focused on each of the potential strategies outlined above. This particular post will discuss neurotransmitter modulation.
NEUROTRANSMITTER INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
The human brain is a complex network of neurons, or nerve cells, that communicate with each other through chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters play key roles in many cognitive functions, including attention, memory, and mood. The balance and interaction of these neurotransmitters can significantly influence an individual's cognitive abilities and mental health. Some of the most important neurotransmitters (Table. 1) for cognitive function include acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine (Boonstra, 2015).
Table 1. A list of neurotransmitters and their effects on the mind (source).
MECHANISMS
Neurotransmitter modulation involves altering the levels or activity of these chemicals in the brain to enhance cognitive function. This can be achieved through various means, such as drugs that increase neurotransmitter release, decrease their breakdown, or modulate their receptors (Strandwitz, 2019).
To understand this process, it's important to know how neurons work. Neurons are composed of a cell body, from which dendrites and axons protrude (Figure 1). Dendrites serve to receive information, the cell body processes the information, and then axons send out the information. This overall process is regulated at the intersection of axons and dendrites, which is called the synapse. At the synapse, neurotransmitters are released from the axon of one neuron and received by the dendrites of another, facilitating communication between neurons.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS
Modulating neurotransmitters has the potential to enhance various aspects of cognitive function. For example, drugs that increase acetylcholine levels or activity, known as cholinergics, can improve attention and memory (Fibiger, 1991). Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and methylphenidate increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels, enhancing alertness, attention, and motivation (Cocores, 2008). Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting agent, is thought to work through multiple neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine (Gerrard, 2007).
CHALLENGES AND RISKS
While many drugs can enhance certain aspects of cognition, they often come with side effects and risks, especially with long-term use. These can include insomnia, increased heart rate, hypertension, anxiety, dependency, and in some cases, even psychosis (Horn, 2020). These drugs are also known to have a diminishing effect. As individuals’ tolerance develops over time, the drugs’ effectiveness diminishes, requiring increasing doses, leading to withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation (Urban, 2014). In addition, neurotransmitters do not work in isolation; they interact in complex ways, and altering one can have unforeseen effects on others. For example, increasing dopamine levels can reduce serotonin levels, which can affect mood and other cognitive functions (Carhart-Harris, 2009).
CURRENT RESEARCH AND OPPORTUNITIES
Neurotransmitter modulation is already widely used in medicine to treat cognitive disorders like ADHD and Alzheimer's disease. However, its use for cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals is more controversial. Despite these challenges, research in this area is ongoing, with scientists exploring new ways to safely and effectively modulate neurotransmitters for cognitive enhancement. More research is needed to develop safer and more effective methods of neurotransmitter modulation for cognitive enhancement (Boucherie, 2022).
As our understanding of the brain's complex chemistry continues to grow, several opportunities for advancement in the field of neurotransmitter modulation emerge. One such opportunity is the development of more targeted interventions. For instance, drugs could be designed to modulate specific neurotransmitter systems associated with particular cognitive functions, such as memory or attention. This could potentially lead to more potent benefits and reduce off-target side effects (Boucherie, 2022). Furthermore, current neurotransmitter modulation techniques have shown moderate effects on cognitive enhancement. However, with further research and development, there is potential to discover or create interventions that have more potent effects on cognitive function. One of the challenges with current neurotransmitter modulation techniques is the development of tolerance, where the effectiveness of a drug diminishes over time. Future research could focus on developing strategies to overcome these tolerance mechanisms, leading to more sustainable cognitive enhancement. Lastly, many drugs used for neurotransmitter modulation have off-target side effects, which can limit their use. Future opportunities could include the development of drugs or interventions that are more selective in their action, thereby reducing off-target side effects.
As our understanding of the brain's complex chemistry continues to grow, we may be able to develop more targeted interventions. For example, drugs could be designed to modulate specific neurotransmitter systems associated with particular cognitive functions, such as memory or attention. This could potentially lead to more potent benefits and reduce off-target side effects. There is also potential to discover or create interventions that have more potent effects on cognitive function, overcome tolerance mechanisms, and reduce off-target side effects.
CONCLUSION
Neurotransmitter modulation presents a promising avenue for cognitive enhancement, with potential applications in both clinical and healthy populations. However, the associated challenges and risks underscore the need for careful application of these substances due to rapid tolerance and side effects. As research in this field continues to advance, it is hoped that safer and more effective methods of neurotransmitter modulation will be developed, paving the way for a better understanding of the human brain and the enhancement of cognitive abilities. In the next section, we will discuss neurotrophins as a strategy for increasing intelligence.
REFERENCES
Boonstra, E., De Kleijn, R., Colzato, L.S., Alkemade, A., Forstmann, B.U. and Nieuwenhuis, S., 2015. Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior. Frontiers in psychology, p.1520.
Carhart-Harris, R.L. and Nutt, D.J., 2017. Serotonin and brain function: a tale of two receptors. Journal of psychopharmacology, 31(9), pp.1091-1120.
Fibiger, H.C., 1991. Cholinergic mechanisms in learning, memory and dementia: a review of recent evidence. Trends in neurosciences, 14(6), pp.220-223.
Gerrard, P. and Malcolm, R., 2007. Mechanisms of modafinil: a review of current research. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 3(3), pp.349-364.
Horn, A. and Fox, M.D., 2020. Opportunities of connectomic neuromodulation. Neuroimage, 221, p.117180.
Strandwitz, P., 2018. Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain research, 1693, pp.128-133.
Urban, K.R. and Gao, W.J., 2014. Performance enhancement at the cost of potential brain plasticity: neural ramifications of nootropic drugs in the healthy developing brain. Frontiers in systems neuroscience, 8, p.38.
Very insightful!
POG