by Tim Brunson, PhD
Brain-related human potential is dependent on the ability of a sector (i.e. neural substrate) to fully perform. Barring damage, the level of functioning depends on the thickness of neural networks in the substrate, the activity or inhibition of the nearby and/or correlated substrates, previous differentiation – as discussed in the previous articles – and the level of energy provided.
The relative focus of energy in the nervous system is associated with mental performance, sensory awareness, motor control, and autonomic functioning. Substrates are considered activated (or active), inhibited, or dormant based upon the relative amounts of activity. Activity or inactivity is related to the amounts of oxygen and nutrition (in the form of glucose) provided to the substrates cells. Modern neuroimaging methods can detect the energy levels of the various substrates.
The human brain is an economical system that concentrates energy into or removes it from the various neural substrates. The relative balance of concentration of the brain's limited blood supply determines the balance of neural energy (Amen, 2005), which involves heat and electrical activity and is detected by neuroimaging. As just mentioned, glucose and oxygen – both of which are provided by blood in the brain's vascular system – are the two major requirements that determine the level of activity of a given substrate. They are carried by the brain's vascular system, which manages approximately 12% of the body's blood supply.
The concentration of blood provided to specific substrates results in a deprivation of flow to others. Therefore, there is an inverse relationship regarding the energy levels of nearby substrates. When the energy level of one increases, that of nearby substrates –serving as the most readily available sources of energy – decrease. For instance, hyperactivity, such as in the case of an overactive ACC – which serves as the switch board of our thoughts – can be as much of a problem as under-activity.
Other than this inverse relationship, there may be a direct relationship between two or more substrates. This means that when the activity or inactivity of a specific substrate changes, there is a subsequent – and same direction – change in the energy level of a correlated substrate. For instance, the activity of the cerebellum – which affects the clock speed of the brain – is also in many ways correlated with the prefrontal cortex. Correlated substrates tend to increase or decrease activity simultaneously.
The inability of energy concentrations to situationally shift from one substrate (or set of substrates) to another (or others) can be due to brain trauma, abuse – as with legal or illegal drugs or alcohol – or excessive addictions. This could result in certain mental/neurological pathologies. And due to the brain's sensory and regulatory involvement with the rest of the body, a brain dysfunction can create severe non-neurological complications. Mainstream interventions designed to address pathologies include surgery, pharmacology, and psychotherapy. (It is also conceivable that other integrative healing modalities – such as chiropractic, homeopathy, and massage therapy – may have potential for affecting cerebral blood flow.)
Hypnotherapy is a form of psychotherapy. So, the contention is that suggestion and imagination can change relative energy levels of the various neural substrates. This includes the evidence-supported belief that hypnosis can assist in the repair of damaged of dysfunctional sectors (Amen, 2005). Indeed, its efficacy lies in the ability of the self-practitioner or hypnotic operator to activate or inhibit parts of the brain.
The value of intentional activation and/or inhibition is clearly shown by the work of a new breed of scientists. For example, Transcranial Magnetic (TCM) researchers (Walsh & Pascual-Leone, 2003) appear to be at the forefront of investigations into the value implied by modulating neural energy levels. Certainly, they and their colleagues are in many ways converging neurology and psychology. In fact, these proponents of the emerging field of cognitive neuroscience – the study of the neural mechanisms of behavior – are attempting to look at the relationship between dynamics of brain physiology and such things as learning, personality, mental pathologies, etc. However, at this point it is pretty much the domain of the medical establishment. Unfortunately it focuses primarily on the impact of neuro-physiology on behavior, rather than the impact of thought and behavior on physiology.
A significant contribution to the activation/inhibition discussion comes from the work of Daniel Amen, MD, (2005) whose Amen Clinics have performed over 40,000 Single Photo Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans of the human brain. Amen became controversial several years ago when the Medical Board of California challenged his use of SPECT scans as a diagnostic tool for the practice of psychiatry. His successful defense of this innovative protocol has led to thousands of significant cures, as well as his popularity in the media and his participation as an expert witness in numerous criminal and civil trials.
Amen uses SPECT scans to discover which substrates are either active or inhibited. Realizing that trauma or abuse may be the underlying cause for multiple types of mental pathologies, he is able to recommend surgery, medications, or the continued use of various forms of psychotherapy – to include the use of hypnosis.
Considering the relationship between substrate functions and blood concentration, the following key points can be easily inferred reviews of SPECT scans:
- Energy concentration can and does affect the energy levels in nearby substrates. The enhancement of activity in one substrate at least partially negates the function of nearby substrates.
- Correlated substrates are complementary. The activation or inhibition of one substrate has a direct correlation on the activation or inhibition of the correlated substrates.
- The inhibition of one substrate will enhance the energy level of nearby substrates.
Many of the insights and conclusions in upcoming articles are the result of an exhaustive review of scans conducted and/or reviewed by Amen.
The International Hypnosis Research Institute is a member supported project involving integrative health care specialists from around the world. We provide information and educational resources to clinicians. Dr. Brunson is the author of over 150 self-help and clinical CD's and MP3's.
References:
Amen, D. G. (2005). The Brain and Behavior with Daniel G. Amen, M.D.: A Comprehensive Clinical Course on the Neurobiology of Everyday Life. Newport Beach, California: MindWorks Press.
Walsh, V. & Pascual-Leone, A. (2003). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Neurochronemetrics of Mind. Boston: MIT Press.
Posted: 08/04/2014
