Neural Entropy and Childhood Consciousness: A Reduction Filter Hypothesis

This preprint introduces the Reduction Filter Hypothesis, a unified model of consciousness linking developmental psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology. The central claim is that early childhood consciousness represents a naturally psychedelic state, characterized by high entropy, global connectivity, and reduced Default Mode Network activity, similar to adult psychedelic states. The hypothesis extends to age-related changes in cognition, individual differences in mental rigidity versus openness, and cultural variability in how societies strengthen or weaken this filter. Religious rituals, arts, and psychedelic substances are interpreted as technologies to modulate the reduction filter. Potential applications include early diagnosis of dementia, psychotherapy for trauma and depression, creativity-focused education, and the design of VR/AR tools for therapeutic and cultural purposes.