Explorations of the Mind

Fantasies

An Embodied Mind Can Help Fight Cancer

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on June 20, 2023

Mental imagery plays a core role in many health disorders and plays an increasingly important role in their treatment. The healing power of mental imagery can be considerable.

Mental imagery plays a core role in many health disorders and plays an increasingly important role in their treatment. The healing power of mental imagery can be considerable.

Media

The Post-Secular Society, Influencers, and Misinformation

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on June 7, 2023

We live in this post-secular society, dominated by a new breed of lifestyle and wellness influencers with no expertise, no medical training, and millions of loyal followers.

We live in this post-secular society, dominated by a new breed of lifestyle and wellness influencers with no expertise, no medical training, and millions of loyal followers.

Integrative Medicine

The Emerging Science of Integrative Medicine

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on May 25, 2023

From IV vitamin C to mistletoe injections.

From IV vitamin C to mistletoe injections.

Depression

Depression: Goodbye Serotonin, Hello Stress and Inflammation

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on May 1, 2023

New research shows that stress can induce inflammatory changes in the brain and the peripheral immune system, leading to anhedonia.

New research shows that stress can induce inflammatory changes in the brain and the peripheral immune system, leading to anhedonia.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

New Directions in the Treatment of PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on April 18, 2023

Pets have the power to boost human health.

Pets have the power to boost human health.

Artificial Intelligence

The Conscious Robot: Benefits and Risks

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on March 30, 2023

Tools and technology are designed to make our lives better, but have they?

Tools and technology are designed to make our lives better, but have they?

Memory

Radical Modification of the Standard Model of Memory Storage

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on March 6, 2023

Research has shown there is little fundamental difference between neurons and other cell types. All cells in our bodies are, to some extent, memory storing.

Research has shown there is little fundamental difference between neurons and other cell types. All cells in our bodies are, to some extent, memory storing.

Memory

How Memories Are Formed and Where They're Stored

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on March 3, 2023

The long-held theory that memory is stored in the synapses of the brain may be due for an update.

The long-held theory that memory is stored in the synapses of the brain may be due for an update.

Cognition

Thought Reading and Mind Hacking

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on January 30, 2023

While thought-reading techniques can help patients with locked-in syndrome communicate and feel human, they could also easily be misused.

While thought-reading techniques can help patients with locked-in syndrome communicate and feel human, they could also easily be misused.

Sleep

Sleep Better, Live Longer

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on January 15, 2023

Exploring the health benefits of sleep.

Exploring the health benefits of sleep.

Meditation

Loneliness Is Failed Solitude

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on December 19, 2022

Meditation changes the meditator, and it changes us. By focusing on silence in meditation, we can change our perspective.

Meditation changes the meditator, and it changes us. By focusing on silence in meditation, we can change our perspective.

Altruism

Fostering Altruism in Children

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on November 29, 2022

A woman in a research study received a telephone call from her sick father. Her 20-month-old son, Billy, rushed over to her with a concerned look and gave her a big kiss.

A woman in a research study received a telephone call from her sick father. Her 20-month-old son, Billy, rushed over to her with a concerned look and gave her a big kiss.

Health

Worshiping the Brain While Neglecting the Body

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on November 6, 2022

Consider the health consequences.

Consider the health consequences.

Attachment

The Lasting Impact Grandparents Have

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on October 26, 2022

Grandparents who show that they care can help a child grow into an adult with solid self-esteem and optimism.

Grandparents who show that they care can help a child grow into an adult with solid self-esteem and optimism.

Hypnosis

The Power of Words and the Current Use of Hypnosis and Placebos

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on October 3, 2022

Despite senses being the only window to the outside world, all that we perceive might be deeply contaminated by our subjective beliefs of the physical world.

Despite senses being the only window to the outside world, all that we perceive might be deeply contaminated by our subjective beliefs of the physical world.

Loneliness

Neurodegenerative Diseases, Novel Treatments

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on October 3, 2022

There are many avenues to improving the lives of people suffering from neurodegenerative disorders and, in the long run, to prevent these from occurring in the first place.

There are many avenues to improving the lives of people suffering from neurodegenerative disorders and, in the long run, to prevent these from occurring in the first place.

Persuasion

Consciousness and the Quantum Mind

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on July 18, 2022

The embodied mind is more than the sum of its parts. It is a hybrid, operating reversibly between quantum and classical realms.

The embodied mind is more than the sum of its parts. It is a hybrid, operating reversibly between quantum and classical realms.

Parapsychology

The Quantum Mind: From NDEs to Post-Materialist Science

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on June 27, 2022

Extrasensory perception or ESP, near-death-experiences (NDEs) and past life recollections challenge classical science explanations.

Extrasensory perception or ESP, near-death-experiences (NDEs) and past life recollections challenge classical science explanations.

Dreaming

The Quantum Mind

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on June 22, 2022

It is time to move the dial on the scientific clock and dispute the commonly accepted deterministic view of the mind as an epiphenomenon of the brain.

It is time to move the dial on the scientific clock and dispute the commonly accepted deterministic view of the mind as an epiphenomenon of the brain.

Placebo

Exploring the Nature of Mind Over Matter

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on June 10, 2022

Several years ago, I visited a large NICU with 36 babies. About half of them were named, and the other half were not. Guess who did better?

Several years ago, I visited a large NICU with 36 babies. About half of them were named, and the other half were not. Guess who did better?