Neural networks, brainwaves, and ionic structures: acupuncture vs. altered states of consciousness.
D Rakovic
Acupuncture & electro-therapeutics research 1991 DOI: 10.3727/036012991816357928 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Key points | Argues that the electromagnetic component of ultra low frequency brainwaves, together with a low-dielectric structure associated with a displaced part of the acupuncture ionic system, can bridge unconscious and conscious processing modes, and proposes that this mechanism physically corresponds to notions such as qi, subtle body, and causal body. |
Abstract
It is shown that neural networks with embedded "brainwaves" can cross the gap between the fast parallel unconscious mode of neuroscience and the slow serial conscious mode of psychology. The electromagnetic (EM) component of ultra low frequency (ULF) "brainwaves" appears to enable perfect fitting with narrowed limits of conscious capacity in normal awake states and very extended limits in altered states of consciousness - due to the biophysical relativistic mechanism of dilated subjective time base. An additional complex low-dielectric (epsilon r approximately 1) structure is also necessary in these processes. This structure can be related to a displaced (from the body) part of acupuncture ionic system which can conduct ULF brainwave currents approximately 10(-7) A, inside the conductive channels of the initial ionic concentration approximately 10(-15) cm-3, with a tendency of deterioration during a period of approximately 1 hour. It provides an extraordinary biophysical basis for traditional psychology, including trans-personal experiences down to the ultimate state of thoughtless consciousness. Notions, such as "qi", "subtle body", and "causal body", are physically inevitably associated with ions, displaced (from the body) part of acupuncture ionic structure, and in it embedded an EM component of ULF brainwaves, respectively.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on altered states of consciousness, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered States of Consciousness | 1966 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Functional neuroanatomy of altered states of consciousness: The transient hypofrontality hypothesis | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |