Memory, a fundamental aspect of human cognition and consciousness, is multifaceted and extends beyond traditional conceptualizations of mental recall. This review article explores memory through various lenses, including brain-based, body-based, and cellular mechanisms. At its core, memory involves the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information. Advances in neuroscience reveal that...
NeuroscienceNovember 1, 2024Vishal Bharmauria, Hamidreza Ramezanpour, Afef Ouelhazi et al.
Ketamine is a widely used clinical drug that has several functional and clinical applications, including its use as an anaesthetic, analgesic, anti-depressive, anti-suicidal agent, among others. Among its diverse behavioral effects, it influences short-term memory and induces psychedelic effects. At the neural level across different brain areas, it modulates neural firing rates, neural tuning,...
: This phenomenological study explores the lived spiritual experiences of individuals undergoing identity crises, aiming to understand how spirituality influences identity development during times of existential questioning. Drawing on in-depth semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of participants aged 18 to 40, the research identifies key themes that illuminate the complex interplay...
Abstract: This book offers an integrated account of mind and consciousness at the intersection of contemporary philosophy and cognitive science. It argues that no single discipline—whether analytic metaphysics, phenomenology, neuroscience, or computational modelling—can, in isolation, provide a sufficiently rich explanation of conscious experience. Instead, the chapters develop a multi-level...
This systematic review aims to elucidate the nexus between ketamine's psychoactive properties and its efficacy in treating a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders. We searched three databases and used citation tracking to include 29 studies. Predominantly, mood disorders, including bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) (MDD + BD: + n = 25 studies), a large part of them...
Currently, there is a growing number of proposed physical processes for describing the mechanism underlying the occurrence and measurement of consciousness. These bodies of knowledge have created multitudes of viewpoints about consciousness. It is also still unclear how they are related or whether they can be empirically distinguished. This study presents an assessment of physical processes for...
Understanding the neural correlates of consciousness remains a central challenge in neuroscience. In this study, we explore the potential of neural field theory (NFT) as a computational framework for representing consciousness states. While prior research has validated NFT’s capacity to differentiate between normal and pathological states of consciousness, the relationship of its parameters to...
The integration of meditation, particularly Buddhist meditation, into psychotherapy, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic tool within clinical and counseling contexts. The primary focus is on two major types of Buddhist meditation: Samatha (tranquility meditation) and VipassanÄ (insight meditation). These practices, rooted in ancient texts like the Sutta Piá¹aka, aim to cultivate...
Contemplative technologies in the form of Buddhist practices that challenge the sense of self and thereby enhance the experience of interrelationality are viable strategies for addressing existential concerns such as the environmental crisis. Much of the existing research on Buddhism and ecology neglects to measure environmentally sustainable behavior or engage with empirical research....
This study explores the profound questions surrounding the pursuit of Nirvana in Buddhism, examining whether it arises from the cycle of rebirth, present suffering, or future pain as depicted in early Buddhist scriptures. It also investigates the potential convergence of Buddhism with existentialism, a philosophy emphasizing individual experience, freedom, responsibility, and life’s inherent...