Luke, David ORCID: 0000-0003-2141-2453 and Friedman, Harris (2008) The neurochemistry of psi and associated processes. In: 116th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, 14-17 August 2008, Boston, USA. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This paper will focus on the use of psychoactive drugs in inducing experiences of anomalous cognition and other ostensibly paranormal experiences and investigate what might be learned, if anything, about the neurochemistry of such experiences. It will briefly review the empirical research in this area and critically evaluate a number of nascent neurochemical models that attempt to underpin the possible neurochemistry of certain ostensibly paranormal experiences, such as ESP (clairvoyance, telepathy or precognition), out of body experiences, near-death experiences, and mediumship.

Most of the published research on this topic has been conducted within the field of parapsychology and has been largely confined to psychedelic and euphoric agents, as few other psychoactive drugs have been reported to induce paranormal-type experiences. There exist a number of direct experimental attempts to induce ESP with such drugs and these will be critically evaluated along with the available survey data. Historical, anthropological, psychiatric and psychotherapeutic reports also add some valuable phenomenological data to this debate. The few extant neurochemical models of paranormal experience will be critically evaluated in light of the parapsychological and neurochemical evidence available. Criticisms of previous research, suggested improvements, and speculations for further areas of research and means of testing these models will also be proposed.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Paper)
Additional Information:	This paper was later published in Krippner, Stanley and Friedman, Harris. L., (eds.) Mysterious Minds: The Neurobiology of Psychics, Mediums and Other Extraordinary People. Praeger Publishers, Westport, CT, USA, pp. 163-185. ISBN 9780313358661.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	neurochemistry, psi, anomalous experience, NDE, OBE, parapsychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Pre-2014 Departments:	School of Health & Social Care School of Health & Social Care > Department of Psychology & Counselling
Related URLs:	Organisation
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2016 09:10
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/3904

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