NEWS:
(External & Internal
to Neuro-Kinetik...)
In our opinion, the greatest potential discovery
of this century would be, to locate the part of
the brain that enables "spoonbending". I.e.:
softening of metal, by mental intention alone.
Anatomy, physics and business would benefit.
A snapshot of an imaged mental act [high density EEG], by Dr. Makeig at U. Cal. San Diego.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Submitted to an electronic journal...
[The footnotes are a story in themselves....]
MEDICAL IMAGING LINKED WITH BIOFEEDBACK CAN PROVIDE AN OPERATIONAL ACCESS TO THE ENERGIES OF PARAPSYCHOLOGY
By Ivan Peter Lay, MBA, MS (Zoology/Physiology); Free-lance as http://neuro-kinetik.com
Abstract: Anomalous events such as teleportation and psychokinesis , when produced on purpose, necessarily have brain correlates. Imaging the brain during such epochs, regions of the brain that co-vary with these external events can be located, extending the knowledge base for functional neuroanatomy. Further: Using real time EEG scalp measurements and knowing the EEG "footprint" on the scalp obtained as anomalous events were researched, a biofeedback loop could be set up to train for conscious reception and production anomalous energies by ordinary people.
Keywords: empirical, parapsychology, fMRI, high density EEG, PK, biofeedback, teleportation, functional neuroanatomy
The present article addresses research in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and biofeedback, as applicable to parapsychology. Steadman's Medical Dictionary (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004) defines parapsychology as "The study of extrasensory perception, such as telepathy, psychokinesis, and clairvoyance." Better knowledge of the energies connected with the above likely would be useful in the world. One of our aims is to eliminate the label "extrasensory", by encouraging the search to locate the (yet unknown) sites in the brain related reception or generation of the relevant biological energies as ESP takes place. The result of this search would lead to a new understanding of basic mechanism of interacting with the world, in a recognizable and controlled manner. (Basic mechanisms, likely as useful for science and technology as other well established and experientially validated facts: osmotic pressure, bioelectricity and the germ theory.) The recommended methodology for "brain source localization" of mental activity would use the non-invasive imaging tools currently available at universities and medical schools: MRI, radiotracers, and (high density) EEG.
As it is commonly known, a species of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) responds to differential capillary usage in the brain as neuronal populations are recruited. [This is labeled: fMRI, or functional MRI.] The technology of Positron Emission Tomography uses radioactive metabolites and by-products accumulated at biologically active brain sites to show a 3D map related to mental activity. The "high density" EEG equipment uses 128 to 256 scalp electrodes, to record the underlying electrical brain activity. By mathematical operations similar (conceptually) to triangulation, the spatial and temporal courses of brain electrical activation (as recorded at the scalp level by the EEG), can be established. (Technically: matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors are used by the relevant EEG software.)
From a historical perspective, the phenomena of parapsychology had their heyday during the Spiritualist era [1850-1920]. In this time frame, an estimated 10 percent of the Western populace was actively and persistently engaged in witnessing or producing "psychic phenomena". Objects levitated, appeared out of nowhere (or: disappeared), etc... Occasionally, people were healed by distant mental intention. The Spiritualist movement has been discredited and forgotten. The effects observed, as well as their ascribed causes eventually faded into obscurity. An illustrative chronicle for events referenced as "psychic" is given by Jeffrey Mishlove's The Roots of Consciousness. (http://www.williamjames.com/Folklore/MINDOVER.htm). For a review of experimental work in this field and theories made by scientists, engineers and doctors through the 1850-1920 period, the encyclopedic Parapsychology by Rene Sudre, 1960, Citadel Press, NY) is recommended.
Experiments (of course), are performed in the context of available tools and theories. As such, the limits of robust "psychic" phenomena were well delineated by Sudre, and some plausible generalizations were derived. Confirmatory experiments abounded, but the phenomena could not be linked to ordinary physics, operationally. Yet, via laboratory procedures unknown to the Victorian era, information about the organic basis of parapsychology were becoming available even in the 1970-s. For example, the studies of Watkins on anesthetized mice resuscitated telepathically, suggest histological approaches to brain source localization for "psychic interaction". (Histology is an invasive analogue of the PET technology, which was to follow later.)
The new, non-invasive exploratory instrumentation essentially falls into two categories, based on how the data is collected --- I.e.: continuous vs. sparse sampling. The continuum methods for brain imaging employ radiation: atomic or radio frequency. These methods depend on the differential concentration of molecules, reflecting structure or function. So, an open fMRI can react to the altered blood flow on the capillary level, as neuronal populations are recruited during brain activation. Similarly, radioactive oxygen or glucose (as an example) would accumulate more in tracts and nuclei that are metabolically active, than at location that are at rest or are at base line level. (The basis of the PET technology: Positron Emission Tomography.) One could list other sophisticated or emerging instrumental methodologies for brain mapping, such as diffusion tensor imaging or infrared optical methods, but the principle remains the same. Neuronal action is ultimately shown as a visual display.
The "sparse collection point" equipment to monitor brain activity can be magnetic or electric. These machines are subject friendly: non-constraining. The MEG equipment [MagnetoEncephalograph] uses super-cooled magnetic pick up coils. It records the minute magnetic fields generated by the electric discharges that are present at the neuronal level. The MEG, like the high density EEG can reconstruct brain activity at voxels of 7 to 2 cubic millimeter resolution. Simultaneous video recording for documenting the psychic events is of course a necessity.
The use of psychic energies for the healing arts could eventually be explored, once the anatomic locations for psychic events are defined. Biofeedback instrumentation sensitive to exact brain nuclei could bring the elicitation and replication of various psychic phenomena under conscious control. (Likely, with the same ease as training for alpha frequency production or heart rate alteration seen in behavioral medicine. A company exemplifying behavioral medicine is Lexicor. http://www.lexicor.com/)
Biofeedback equipment (hardware and software) is illustrated at the Thought Technology Ltd. web site. (http://www.thoughttechnology.com/bioinf.htm) Biofeedback practitioners routinely use such equipment. (For example, see the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research. (http://www.isnr.org) While the psychological techniques derived from operational conditioning are not strictly required for learning "psychic skills" [see the informal http://fork-you.com], they have the advantage of being linked to a known and recognized theory.
The brain regions active during psychic activity as determined by imaging provide the metric for the biofeedback. I.e.: As training progresses, the subjects brain approach the activity patterns recorded during psychic events. This biofeedback training can be done with a real time fMRI, but the EEG equipment is far more subject friendly and quick. With fMRI the relevant brain regions are observable as training progresses. Neurobiofeedback using the high density EEG, uses as a reference standard the scalp electrode patterns related to the activation of "psychic" brain nuclei. The scalp electrode patterns are calculated [the "forward solution"], from the XYZ coordinates of the identified brain regions via standard physical theory. The learner is rewarded by the biofeedback machinery, if his recorded scalp pattern approaches the normative standard. (The reward can be a video game display becoming functional, etc...)
Psychic phenomena worthy of interest are ever-present. In recent memory, two populist strains of "witnessing or producing" anomalous events have come and gone. The number of people involved was not insignificant; in the estimated range of two to twenty million. Thus, one could mention the "metal bending" (by mind power) of Uri Geller (as described in the book: The Metal-Benders, John B. Hasted, London , Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1981) and the "walking on fire" movement of Tolly Burkan. (http://www.firewalking.com/table.html) [Experiential firewalking binds the Hindu country of India together.]
At the core of these recent observables were some genuine events. The interest in such events (by the lay public) was sizable. But the investment of time and effort by most participants to seriously research such phenomena was minuscule. The general public can be contrasted with institutionally affiliated professionals, who have equipment training and sustained motivation. These professionals could easily produce relevant results in "psychic research" in a few months. But they (by an overwhelming margin), do not currently consider such research a legitimate object of scientific inquiry.
Legitimacy itself is very useful, of course... conferring an accepted precedent. Thus one can dispense with the burden of needing to perpetually reestablish validations of existence -- enabling a focus on everyday, utilitarian interaction. Medical imaging is accepted as legitimate. It is not widely used for the (yet to be legitimized) psychical research. Still, the results of a valid research methodology should yield acceptable information in any application.
To be repetitious for the sake of emphasis: Anatomical structures for various known abilities are defined. (Such as the stomach for digestion, and the eye for seeing, etc...) Each function has corresponding dedicated brain region. Other, less frequently exhibited human capacities, such as psychic events, also should have organic correlates on the micro and macro scale.
Some psychic researchers use imaging to show or confirm events. For example, there are the "precognitive" studies by Dick J. Bierman and H. Steven Scholte at the University of Utrecht (2002). (http://www.parapsy.nl/uploads/w1/fmri.presentiment.pa2002.pdf) Here differential brain activation to emotionally neutral vs. emotionally charged pictures seem to have been obtained via imaging, 7 seconds before randomized pictures were flashed on a screen. The emotive parts of the brain were indeed shown to be precognitively active. (Although which regions of the brain called forth the emotive response [precognition center], were not conclusively defined.
Applying the imaging machinery to epochs of intended psychic healing could yield useful information. In this context, the most dramatic psychic event researchable seems to be macro teleportation. See Section Five of the Air Force's Teleportation Physics Study available from the web site of the Federation of American Scientist. [http://www.fas.org/sps/eprint/teleport.pdf] Quoting from Section five of this document&
"Individuals were able to completely bend or contort their metal specimen with no physical force being applied whatsoever. Numerous government science advisors and senior military officials took part in and/or witnessed these events, which took place at the Pentagon..."
Referring to the Chinese teleportation experiments, it is written:
"... high-speed photography/videotaping recorded in one set of experiments that test specimen would physically "meld" or blend with the walls of the sealed containers; and recorded in a different series of experiments that test specimens would simply disappear from inside the container only to reappear at an other location... ...the experimental results were all repeatable... ...the conditions for fraud and sleight of hand were totally eliminated, and multiple independent outside witnesses (technical and military-intelligence experts) were present at all times..."
Impressive as these confirmatory demonstrations were, it may be noted that no further attempts were made to research the brain regions responsible for these events or to train people to gain such skills, via biofeedback techniques.
Earlier, it was mentioned that institutional research into psychic phenomena seems to be at a standstill. However, interested amateurs can either hire relevant experts, or become sufficiently trained by their own efforts to continue this line of exploration. For the self learner, we would like to offer a relatively easy, "hands-on" introduction to the imaging equipment to show that it is not an esoteric technology. Thus the stand-alone freeware program LORETA (http://www.unizh.ch/keyinst/NewLORETA/LORETA01.htm), authored by Pasqual-Marqui of The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research is a good starting point. The name LORETA is derived (acronym like) from Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography. For an introduction to high-resolution EEG work, several freeware programs are also available. (Although the freeware requires a commercial resource: the MATLAB plug-in http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab.) The BrainStorm imaging package [http://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm] ( Leahy, et. al. University of Southern California ) and the EEGLAB program of Makeig at the University of San Diego (http://www.sccn.ucsd.edu/eeglab) are both state of the art. These programs are less user friendly, but produce impressive results. The imaging programs, of course, work with data that needs to be gathered. Obtaining this data is the cost bottleneck for the EEG technology. (See for example: Electrical Geodesic, Inc. http://www.egi.com/c_products.html , for one example of the recording instrumentation).
Experimental research subjects exhibiting controlled use of "psychic energies" [such as healers], who could yield useful data regarding sites of psychic energy production (or reception) in the brain abound. Technically, "bending metal by thought power" is a better initial candidate for psychical research. It quick and self-documenting, making it ideal for high-density EEG work. Incidentally, it is linked to conscious thalamic perception: subjects can state/feel when their effort at metal bending is able to produce positive results. The membership of the FMBR [http://www.fmbr.org], the Foundation for Mind-Being Research in California is a possible resource for this skill. (A typical example of "metal bending " by mental intention in a non laboratory environment is described at http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/11.27.03/spoonbending-0348.htm .)
With the hoped for increase of controlled usage of "psychic energies" by the general public (due to neurobiofeedback training), the mechanical generation, storage, transmission and characterization of these yet unexplored energies will like likely become akin to electricity: Used and understood. Thus, we may yet live in a larger (and hopefully) a better world.
REFERENCES
1, Bierman, Dick J. and Scholte, H. Steven: Anomalous Anticipatory Brain Activation Preceeding Exposure of Emotional and Neutral Pictures http://www.parapsy.nl/uploads/w1/fmri.presentiment.pa2002.pdf
2, Burkan, Tolly: Firewalking.com http://www.firewalking.com/table.html
3, Electrical Geodesics, Inc. on line at http://www.egi.com/c_products.html
4, http://www.fork-you.com (A web site describing metal bending by mental intention.)
5, Foundation for Mind-Being Research, on line at http://www.fmbr.org
6, Hasted, John B.; The Metal-Benders, Boston, Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1981
7, International Society for Neurofeedback and Research on line at http://www.isnr.org
8, Leahy, Richard et. al., BrainStorm (A Matlab toolbox dedicated to MEG/EEG), Biomedical Imaging Research Lab, University of Southern California, Electrical Engineering Department; http://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm/
9, Lexicor Company: Instrumentation for Behavioral Medicine. http://www.lexicor.com/
8, MathWorks, MATLAB available at http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/
10, Mishlove, Jeffrey The Roots of Consciousness on-line at http://www.williamjames.com/Folklore/MINDOVER.htm
11, Makeig, Scott; EEGLAB (Open source Matlab toolbox for physiological research), Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience at the University of California San Diego http://www.sccn.ucsd.edu/eeglab
12, Pasqual-Marqui, Roberto, LORETA (Low resolution Electromagnetic tomography),The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland http://www.unizh.ch/keyinst/NewLORETA/LORETA01.htm
13, Steadman's Medical Dictionary (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004)
14, Sudre, Rene; Parapsychology (Translated from the French: TRAITE DE PARAPSYCHOLOGIE), New York: Citadel Press 1960
15, Watkins, Graham K.; Watkins, Anita. Possible PK influence on the resuscitation of anesthetized mice, Journal of Parapsychology, 35 (1971), pp. 257-272.)
16, Singh, Gary; Twisted experience. On the personal growth frontier: Is spoon bending the firewalking of the new millenium? From the November 27-December 3, 2003 issue of Metro, Silicon Valley 's Weekly Newspaper http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/11.27.03/spoonbending-0348.html
17, Thought Technology Ltd, BioGraph Infinity (Multimedia biofeedback and data acquisition software and hardware) on line at http://www.thoughttechnology.com/bioinf.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For info or inquiries, please contact us at fmri_eeg@yahoo.com
Last update: 25 July, 2007