Re: Belief and the Brain

Iain wrote:
One further observation I'd make. I think as soon as one mentions the word "psychosomatic", there is a feeling that it's a derogatory word, implying it's "all in the mind", or that you're making it up or imagining it. In reality it's much more complex than that. The interaction between the mind or the body is very strong. Thoughts produce moods, which in turn cause chemicals to be released and physical symptoms to occur. How many people here, for instance have been moved to tears by a piece of music, or watching a sad film, or one with an unexpectedly happy ending. The chain or reactions leading to the shedding of tears, opening of tear ducts etc originated in the mind, with thoughts, feelings etc.

Randy:
Excellent point, Iain. And let's remember that it's a two-way street. Our thoughts and attitudes do indeed induce physiological responses but conversely biochemicals have a strong influence on our thoughts and attitudes. We know that hormones and neurotransmitter levels are a major factor in determining mood (and dare I say 'the fruit of the Spirit?') Neither is an entirely independent variable. Each individual is probably at a different point in the spectrum in terms of the relative importance of turning the physical knob or the attitude knob.

Randy

 
Received on Sat Jan 14 09:27:41 2006