[jordyn]

let's see how vanilla's do...

in August '08's edition of psychology today they had a fascinating article discussing the "Me Search" interviewing a handful of professionals that have made their life about studying aspects about our self that are misunderstood.

the topic refers to Perter Brugger's exploration into paranormal belief: " After years of exploration, Brugger has accumulated evidence that belief in paranormal activity is a brain function." attributing it to dopamine.

what other chemicals or areas of the brain could be responsible for faith in the supernatural or play a role in other interests?

I'm not complaining to much, he did discover that "believers are happier people" but general observation seems that there are people that were made to believe, even if the god spot has been disproven, it seems dopamine does a lot to make our life more pleasant?

Scientists.... what do they know? They make it sound like its all about chemistry.....

[7VII7]

Well when you think about it alot of the things that can be acomplished with science today would be considered magic not that long ago. . .

[jordyn]

actually a lot of it makes sense...learning about my daughter's autism from a neurological standpoint  and my own interests in neurological psychology, body chemistry manipulation(adrenaline junkies, fear seekers etc...) and what creates altered realities with alternative perceptions.  abnormal fluxes in parts of the brain that are normally triggered by a standard amount of chemical as established by the years of research on the brain as normal for a large percentage of the human population are radically changed when an over abundance or deficiency is found.

i don't see how any of it dismisses supernatural experiences it can just help explain why some people have "a gift" and others are more typical for humanity,  scientists can be a believers ally in understanding the power of belief, some scientists are even believers themselves...

...it's the over zealous atheists that concern me.   

[jordyn]

Well when you think about it a lot of the things that can be accomplished with science today would be considered magic not that long ago. . .

and today's magic may be tomorrow's science?

i love the brain, it's my best feature.   

Well when you think about it a lot of the things that can be accomplished with science today would be considered magic not that long ago. . .

and today's magic may be tomorrow's science?

i love the brain, it's my best feature.   

Mine too, and I agree with "todays magic may be tomorrows science" completely.

[7VII7]

careful. . . while that is true that type of thinking can lead to problems. . .

You mean the  "todays magic may be tomorrows science" part?

Or brain is my best feature part? 

[7VII7]

the first one. . .

[blow_fly]

After years of exploration, Brugger has accumulated evidence that belief in paranormal activity is a brain function." attributing it to dopamine.

Does that mean that by flooding an ''average'' specimen of humanity with a wave of dopamine, their chances of experiencing a supernatural event are signifcantly increased due to a state of altered perception engendered by a dramatic change in the body's chemical balance?   Thanks.

[jordyn]

very potentially, we already see large amounts of people finding ways to natural highs, manipulating their body with terror, pain or other extreme interests, exercise  is perhaps the safest practice that releases the most chemicals...but can also be addictive.

http://stke.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/sigtrans;2005/295/tw277

messing with the dopamine in rats is demonstrating how serious abnormal amounts of any sort of chemical can seriously alter a person's perception, ask any druggie.

Great thread, jordyn.
I've thought for quite awhile now that religion is a drug for most people. They get a taste, and as soon as that rush happens in their brain they want more. Explains the extreme veracity of new converts.
What I'd like to know is why this connection between dopamine levels and the paranormal exists.

[jordyn]

maybe it stimulates a brain to resonate at a level that allows them to tap into other, waves?

isn't there the theta state or something like that that's even deeper than the dream state that hypnotists play with, who knows what lurks there?

sorta like rollover minutes, spilling into the companion lines allowing certain users way more than 1000 shared minutes.

[Loki]

Actually, when Marx said that "Religion is people's opium", he meant that religion help poor people (remain blind) to endure their s**tty lifes as slaves.

I think you would better take a look at the trance phenomenon (notably with the souffis and the haitian voodoo). That is really a chemical/energetic reaction at a high level that can boost the individual (strengh, clairvoyance, channeling) beyond normal.

True. Could that be related with rhythm and frequencies? It is proven that with those you can change DNA sequence.... then why wouldnt it be possible that through rhythm based trance we can reach higher levels, same as with drug? Example, go into any church and just listen to the choir, it will affect your body. And even soul, cause she is inside it, of course.

Dance heals. Blame my dopamine! lol