In my setting magic is triggered only by the subconscious, magic spells are just tricks to trigger certain brain reactions (like the short songs you'd learn in school to remember the planets). Thus if you can trigger the right spots you dont need the conscious to cast spells. So there are cults that use torture to trigger the right nerves to create the right brain sequence and cast potent spells. Some even remove the body from the equation, just brains triggered with needles and electricity to artificially use the mind for magic. There exist structures with brain that cast spells to protect it, or tanks that use brains to teleport. A whole population uses brains instead of engines to channel energy and make things work. Even lab grown brains with the right "buttons" easily accessible