Perceptual Consciousness

We explore the neural architecture of awareness, the boundary between consciousness and cognition, and the functional capacities of the "unconscious mind." By utilizing techniques such as backward masking and threshold stimuli, we track the temporal dynamics of information processing. Our goal is to identify specific neural markers (e.g., ERP components, alpha-band activity) that differentiate conscious from unconscious perception. This work is conducted in close collaboration with Michał Wierzchoń.

Current Funding: NCN Sonatina – "Do we see what we expect or what we want to see? Impact of expectations and attention on visual awareness" (2026–2029; PI: Łucja Doradzińska).

Perception of Naturalistic Scenes and Objects

Moving beyond simplified laboratory stimuli, we study how the human brain navigates the complexity of the real world. This line of research emphasizes ecological validity, examining how we rapidly extract the "gist" of a scene and integrate individual objects into global representations. We investigate whether such holistic processing occurs automatically or requires conscious attention. This research is conducted in collaboration with Marek Pędziwiatr.

Current Funding: NCN Sonata Bis – "Hierarchical perception of scenes and objects" (2023–2028; PI: Michał Bola).

Psychedelics and Altered States of Consciousness

Expanding our expertise in perception into the field of psychopharmacology, we study the impact of naturalistic psychedelic use (e.g., LSD, psilocybin) on the human mind. Our research specifically examines how these substances influence emotional reactivity, the construct of the self, and spontaneous brain dynamics.

Current Funding: NCN Preludium Bis – "Self-awareness and processing of emotions in regular users of classic psychedelics" (2022–2026; PI: Michał Bola).

• Zębrowski et al. (2025)Resting-state Alpha-band Activity and Interindividual Differences in Perception. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

• Ciupińska et al. (2024)The influence of spatial and temporal attention on visual awareness—a behavioral and ERP study. Cerebral Cortex.

• Orlowski et al. (2026) Investigating Emotional Reactivity in Experienced Users of Psychedelics: A Cross-Sectional fMRI Study. Human brain mapping.

• Doradzińska & Bola (2024)Electrophysiological correlates of consciousness and attention. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

• Furtak, Mudrik & Bola (2022)Hierarchy and interactions between gist and object processing. Cognition.