Neuroimagem e mediunidade: uma promissora linha de pesquisa

Peres, Julio F. P.; Newberg, Andrew

doi:10.1590/s0101-60832013000600004

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 75 publications

(88 reference statements)

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“…As these areas are widely accepted as being involved with spiritual experiences (reviewed in Peres and Newberg, 2013) 30 , in the present study only spectral power from frontal electrodes (Fp1, Fp2, F3, F4, F7 and F8) were used for the final analysis. Before the statistical analysis, spectral power values were converted to the unit Log [μV2] /Hz, given that this is the most frequently unit used in recent studies on mediumship 18 .…”

Section: Electroencephalogram (Eeg)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and mediumship: a comparative study between spiritist mediums and controls

Bastos¹,

Bastos²,

Osório³

et al. 2016

Arch. Clin. Psychiatry (São Paulo)

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Mediumship and spirit possession are cultural phenomena found worldwide. The Spiritism, popular in Brazil, is a religious tradition that emphasizes mediumship. The "absorption hypothesis" (the association of marked increases in focused attention with concomitant decreases in self-awareness) is one of the neuropsychological explanatory theories for these experiences. We measured electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral power in frontal electrodes within theta, alpha and beta bandwidths, as well as cross-regional cortical coherences, in female Spiritist experienced mediums (n = 10) and in female non-medium control subjects from the same religious context (n = 10). Scalp EEG signals were captured simultaneously from participants in each of the two groups in three different moments: before, during and immediately after mediumistically speaking. Compared to non-medium controls, the mediums had greater beta power on some electrodes in all phases of the experiment, greater theta power on one electrode at the communication phase and greater alpha power on one electrode at the post-communication phase. No condition effects (within-group comparisons) were detected in any group. No group effects were noted for cross regional cortical coherences. No ictal EEG pattern was observed, except for one participant in the mediums group. These findings support the hypothesis that absorption could have a mechanistic role in anomalous sensorial experiences such as mediumship. The coherence pattern in mediums during the anomalous experience differed from prior studies on pathological dissociation and on hypnotic states. Cognitive control processes seem to be engaged during the anomalous sensorial experiences.Bastos Jr. MAV et al. / Arch Clin Psychiatry. 2016;43(2):20-6

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Section: Electroencephalogram (Eeg)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and mediumship: a comparative study between spiritist mediums and controls

Bastos¹,

Bastos²,

Osório³

et al. 2016

Arch. Clin. Psychiatry (São Paulo)

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“…Concerning studies on the accuracy of information provided by mediums, their design must reach a balance between control against information leakage and the provision of a research environment that optimizes the phenomenon for both the medium and for the alleged communicating deceased person 36,[50][51][52] . Apparently, among the reviewed studies, the protocol proposed by Beischel is the most successful in meeting these conditions, and it requires replication by other research groups to broaden the database and to eventually demonstrate or not the scientific evidence of mediumship.…”

Section: Future Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These changes persisted in the post-trance period. In the 2 control subjects, no significant changes in spectral power were observed among the periods Krippner et Moreover, because spiritual and religious experiences are complex and multidimensional, and because mediums usually describe them in terms of changes in perception, cognition and affect 52 , the measurement of the subjective elements of the phenomena is highly advisable. Posteriorly, a possible correlation among these psychological, affective and cognitive elements with specific brain regions and brain functions can be explored 56,57 .…”

Section: Comparison Of the Trance And Control Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This allows the control task to be comparable to mediumistic practice with respect to a range of elements (open or closed eyes, talking or not talking, listening or not listening) and potentially optimizes de identification of characteristic neurophysiological correlates of the mediumistic experience 56 . The decision of which specific method to use depends on availability and financial possibilities 52 but SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) techniques are usually preferred because images can be captured after the completion of the event under investigation (not simultaneously as it is necessary for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI]). In addition, the noise during MRI may disturb mediums, interfering with the phenomenon 56 .…”

Section: Comparison Of the Trance And Control Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mediumship: review of quantitatives studies published in the 21st century

Bastos¹,

Bastos²,

Gonçalves³

et al. 2015

Arch. Clin. Psychiatry (São Paulo)

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Background: Mediumship can be defined as the alleged ability to communicate with deceased persons. The last decade has been particularly productive for this field of research and the study of mediumship can help the understanding of the human mind-brain relationship and provide objective data to the scientific community and to the general population. Objective: The aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the results found on recent studies investigating mediumship. Furthermore, we aim to discuss the psychophysiology underlying mediumship and future perspectives for this study topic. Methods: A literature search for articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish published from January 2000 up to June 2015 was conducted using three electronic databases (PubMed, Lilacs and Web of Science). Review articles, qualitative studies and studies investigating altered states of consciousness caused by psychoactive substances were excluded. The original search returned 150 articles, but the application of exclusion criteria resulted in the inclusion of 19 articles for final analysis. Results: The general findings were: (1) an association of mediumship with good mental health, predominantly in experienced mediums, (2) heterogeneous findings regarding the ability of mediums to provide accurate information what may be due to different study methodologies and (3) incipient studies assessing physiological correlations during mediumistic communications (i.e. hypoactivation of brain regions responsible for cognitive processing and writing planning during psychography compared to a control task; electroencephalographic (EEG) changes and a slight predominance of the sympathetic nervous system). Discussion: There is a paucity of empirical data available in this controversial research field. New studies employing rigorous design (e.g. triple-blind protocols to test accuracy of mediumistic communications), and sensitive methods are required.

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“…Tais evidências não corroboram a visão de que as experiências mediúnicas são sintomas menos intensos em um continum com transtornos dissociativos ou psicóticos 4,[48][49][50][51][52] . Também têm sido publicados estudos sobre a neurofisiologia da mediunidade [53][54][55][56] .…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Pesquisa em mediunidade e relação mente-cérebro: revisão das evidências

Moreira‐Almeida¹

2013

Rev. psiquiatr. clín.

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ResumoContexto: Mediunidade, uma experiência humana disseminada pelas diversas sociedades ao longo da história, pode ser definida como uma experiência em que um indivíduo (chamado de médium) alega estar em comunicação com, ou sob influência de, uma personalidade falecida ou outro ser não material. Desde o século 19 há uma substancial mas negligenciada tradição de investigações científicas sobre mediunidade e suas implicações para a natureza da mente. Objetivo: Discutir a importância histórica e atual da mediunidade para o problema mente-cérebro, focando em estudos que investigam as origens e as fontes das comunicações mediúnicas. Métodos: O artigo inicia-se com uma breve discussão filosófica sobre o que seria evidência para identidade pessoal e sua persistência além do cérebro, então apresenta e analisa as evidências proporcionadas por estudos em mediunidade, incluindo uma análise mais detalhada de dois médiuns muito produtivos: Leonora Piper e Chico Xavier. Resultados: Estudos bem controlados, antigos e recentes, sugerem que médiuns podem exibir habilidades e conhecimentos compatíveis com personalidades falecidas e improváveis de terem sido obtidos por meios ordinários. Conclusões: O uso de métodos de pesquisa contemporâneos em experiências mediúnicas pode proporcionar a necessária ampliação e diversificação da base empírica para o avanço de nosso entendimento do problema mente-cérebro. Rev Psiq Clín. 2013;40(6):233-40 Palavras-chave: Mediunidade, experiências espirituais, religião e psicologia, relações mente-corpo, psicofisiologia, consciência. Moreira-Almeida A / AbstractBackground: Mediumship, an experience widespread throughout human history, can be defined as an experience in which an individual (the so-called medium) purports to be in communication with, or under the control of, a deceased personality or other non-material being. Since the 19 th Century there is a substantial, but neglected tradition of scientific research about mediumship and its implications for the nature of mind. Objective: To discuss the historical and current importance of mediumship to the mind-brain problem, focusing on studies investigating the origins, the sources of mediumistic communications. Methods: This paper starts discussing what would be evidence for personal identity and its persistence beyond the brain, then empirical evidence provided by studies on mediumship are presented and analyzed, including a more detailed analysis of two very productive mediums: Mrs. Leonora Piper and Chico Xavier. Results: Old and recent well controlled studies suggest that mediums can exhibit skills and knowledge unlikely to have been acquired by ordinary means and compatible with deceased personalities. Discussion: Applying contemporary research methods to mediumistic experiences may provide a badly needed broadening and diversification of the empirical basis needed to advance our understanding of the mind-body problem.

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Neuroimagem e mediunidade: uma promissora linha de pesquisa

Cited by 10 publications

References 75 publications

Frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and mediumship: a comparative study between spiritist mediums and controls

Frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and mediumship: a comparative study between spiritist mediums and controls

Mediumship: review of quantitatives studies published in the 21st century

Pesquisa em mediunidade e relação mente-cérebro: revisão das evidências

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