Mind/Body Integration: Science of Pseudo-Science?

by Tim Brunson PhD

While sincere, scientifically-minded professionals should appreciate that their methodology has been consistently used to explore emerging mind/body concepts, still many skeptics still insist that any such research and the resulting findings are a disgrace and are to be classified as "woo woo", an un-scientific, emotionally laden appellation for the more acceptable, yet questionable term "pseudo-science".

Actually, I believe the entertaining diatribes from these self-styled defenders of "good science" do us a favor. Within the realm of Complementary and Alternative Medicine there are way too many "true believers" who let their idealism get ahead of their common sense. Indeed, I have often read or even formally reviewed publications in which the authors make bold-face statements that have no other support other than the charisma of the writer. They base their arguments more on desirable, feel-good emotions rather than any logic or reasoning. Therefore, as much as I often cringe when I encounter the skeptic's anti-intellectual propensity for character assassination rather than reason, they do us a service by keeping us on our toes. No, our desire to believe in something does not make our beliefs true. Hypotheses still need to be based on logic and confirmed by an acceptable methodology.

On the other hand I would like to caution the reader regarding the reluctance for the purveyors of "good science" to accept change as old assumptions and beliefs have been disproved. The conflict in the early 20th century between Newtonian and Quantum Physics immediately comes to mind. Add to this the more recent reluctance within the field of neurology to accept plasticity despite voluminous "good science" research.

Despite the tremendous impact of the ideas of Albert Einstein, to include his contributions of a Relatively Theory and his advancement of the concept of a Unified Field Theory, I find that his most important contribution was the furthering of the idea of "thought experiments". Yes, his hypotheses were for the most part later confirmed. However, it was the process of creating these hypotheses that he revealed that it was possible to produce ideas and concepts through the process of imagination and logic. So, while to a large extent there has been a steady stream of valid scientific studies supporting the ideas of mind/body integration, much of the current contribution is still at the "thought experiment" level, which implies that continued research is still warranted.

Although the schism between spirituality and science - which resulted from the 1665 Great Plague - still haunts the halls of our learned universities, absolutely too much "good literature" supports the connection between the mental and the physical. For instance, recent research in Finland which showed how hypnotic suggestions activate not only the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex but also correlate with activations of other substrates such the secondary somatosensory cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the insula, should not leave any doubt in minds of the most hardened allopathic practitioner that thoughts do affect the body. There should be no difficulty stretching the logic of the Finish research to create a "thought experiment" that would postulate that the subsequent HPA activation would have a glandular impact. Does this research alone, which is one among many, confirm the mind/body relationship? Frankly, I see way too many scientific bread crumbs pointing toward exciting research projects.

Let me end by explaining why I feel that mind/body research is needed. First, I am constantly hearing and reading about clinical and empirical findings that are still bereft of explanation. Practitioners observe the results (which should be documented as case studies) and beliefs are formed. Of course, unless scientific methods are used to confirm these findings practitioners too often rely upon "woo woo" idealism to further their beliefs. This is unfortunate as it retards the eventual acceptance in mainstream medical treatment. Secondly, constantly medical practitioners and researchers constantly discount patient's complaints by attributing symptoms as psychosomatic or "all in their head." This claim is unfortunately leads to the detriment of further research and leads to questionable pharmaceutical interventions or needless surgery. If one were to accept the hypotheses inherent in the mind/body arena, it would be logical to accept the postulate that all physiological phenomena must be also "in their head" if it is to exist physiologically.

Research and discussion into the mind/body correlation is probably the most exciting avenue of intellectual discussion. While the emergence of hard sciences was simultaneous with the Western Renaissance, in many ways it also led us into a new "Dark Age" where the unseen was discounted as not valid. By merging spiritual concepts, the physical sciences, and quantum theory through the use of "thought experiments" and "good science" we may be on the cusp of a new technological era which just may represent the next big step in human evolution.

The International Hypnosis Research Institute is a member supported project involving integrative health care specialists from around the world. We provide information and educational resources to clinicians. Dr. Brunson is the author of over 150 self-help and clinical CD's and MP3's.