Mind And Body Research Articles

The Ethics of Transhumanism from the Perspective of Gilbert Ryle Monist Ethics: Ambiguities and Prospects

Transhumanism attempts to overcome human limitations through the use of technology, such as nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and genetic modifications. In the monist ethical perspective, humans are considered complex material entities, and consciousness is understood as a product of the physical and chemical interactions in the brain with various other parts of the body. The problem is that with such artificial revolutions, ethical foundations based on corporeal limitations become irrelevant. Gilbert Ryle questions Platonistic dispositions that overly rely on reduction with the consequence of extractive knowledge rather than abstract knowledge. Plato's line of thought is then strengthened by Cartesian dualism, which, when applied in a monist perspective, can be reduced to an extraction of brain performance. Ryle proposes an abstraction that allows for the interaction between elements to form a unified understanding of the complex. Based on Ryle's thinking, a study of monist ethics can offer a thoughtful approach to constructing an ethical framework that aligns with the transhumanist era's revolution.

Pseudo-Mysterianism of Colin McGinn

Colin McGinn claims that there is a naturalistic solution of the mind-body problem, but it is not constructive. That is, according to him, there is a natural and simple explanation of consciousness-brain interaction; however, because of our limited cognitive capacity we can never specify the link between the mind and the brain. Scientific explanation of the problem cannot be possible, so solution of the consciousness problem will remain an epistemic mystery for human beings. McGinn’s theory which is the basis of his mysterianism, is called Transcendental Naturalism (TN), and he formulates this theory with three main arguments. The main purpose of this work is to reveal that McGinn's arguments are baseless and that his mysterianism is pseudo-mysterianism. To achieve this purpose, I will discuss TN by respectively analyzing his three main arguments and their problematic aspects. Firstly, I will draw attention to McGinn’s first argument – I will call it “(i) the argument for naturalism.” Secondly, I will draw attention to the second argument which I will call “(ii) the argument for closure,” and I will show that McGinn’s cognitive closure idea on which epistemic mystery of consciousness is mainly based is also problematic. After briefly explaining his last argument which I will call “(iii) the argument for dissolution,” at the end of this work, I will have manifested that (i)-(iii) are not a satisfactory triad to leave the problem of consciousness to dark side, and McGinn’s mysterianism is pseudo-mysterianism.

Implementing an integrated care pathway for Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders (SSRDs) in paediatric population

Introduction: Somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRDs) are commonly encountered in pediatric hospital settings. These children and youth, who present with physical symptoms (e.g., headache, abdominal pain, dizziness) of emotional distress (e.g., anxiety, stress) are diagnostically and psychosocially complex, posing significant challenges for medical and behavioral health care providers. Children and adolescents with SSRDs have high health system utilization and costs and present in multiple clinical settings, have high school absenteeism, and are at elevated risk of iatrogenic harm and missed diagnoses. Patients and their caregivers present with variable readiness to engage in mental health assessment and treatment, with only 40% receiving physician-based mental health care within a year of diagnosis. There is a lack of standardization of care across and within institutions for youth with these disorders. As part of the hospital’s broader strategic direction to integrate physical and mental health care, a SSRD pathway, was developed to address care needs of one of the highest resource intensive populations at a tertiary care hospital. 
 Methods: In 2021, a survey was conducted by our hospital’s implementation team to understand hospital stakeholder priorities when considering the many areas where new integrated care project could be launched. Stakeholders engaged in the survey included physician and operational leaders, clinical staff across the spectrum of disciplines, and a youth and family advisory panel. Focus groups (n = 57) were also conducted to solicit input and feedback. The results highlighted the need to develop a specialized care pathway for children and youth with SSRD focused on integrating physical and mental health care and support with system navigation. Using a logic model with iterative presentations to key stakeholders, the design phase included an interdisciplinary team approach with project management and operational resources to support project implementation and evaluation. Care pathways were developed based on a patient’s readiness to engage in mental health treatment and where they we along their diagnostic odyssey and care journey and intensity of resources required to support their care needs.
 Integrated Care Pathway: As part of the pilot pathway, a patient’s care journey will be planned in accordance with their level of readiness to accept both a somatization diagnosis and a need for mental health treatment. Patients who are partially or non-receptive to mental health supports will have access to a care manager with both physical and mental health expertise. The care manager will engage with families in shifting their focus and understanding about the mind-body connection and provide extended support with care navigation. Patients who are receptive to mental health treatments, will be referred to a group treatment program led by psychiatry and psychology with a focus on psychoeducation relating to the mind-body connection. Patients in this pathway will also have access to occupational therapy and physiotherapy resources to support with restoring function and improving school attendance, when needed. Pilot evaluation will include process and outcome measures such as number of children engaged in this pathway, time to return to functioning, completion of various mental health measures, and health resource utilization."

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Psychotherapists’ Lived Experience of Body-Subject

Cartesian dualism dominates psychotherapy and sociology, displacing the body-subject as described in philosophy. This research explores the experience of body-subject in psychotherapy by conducting a qualitative research based on the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with psychotherapists. The analysis identified 4 superordinate themes and 2 subthemes for each theme. The first theme explores what is a body and how embodiment is expressed. The second theme focuses on somatic countertransference which operates either as a guide to understanding or as another way of communicating. The third theme highlights the contradiction between the freedom and the power of the bodies while the last theme focuses on observation and self-observation which are utilized as a way of understanding or overlooked so that therapists can dwell on experience. The findings suggest that dualism permeates psychotherapy, with the body-object guiding the therapy although some experiences manage to escape it and focus on the body-subject thus giving substance to the lived body. Taking into account the limitations of the study, future research could focus on the experiences of psychotherapists from approaches such as dramatherapy since the body is very active and present. Keywords: body-subject, body-object, IPA, embodiment

Construing, Depression, and Somatization in Mothers in Taiwan

This study explored the construing of mothers with depression and somatic symptoms in Taiwan, with a particular focus on how they construe themselves when with their children in public and private spaces. Questionnaires and repertory grid technique (RGT) were administered to 63 Taiwanese women. The findings revealed a strong correlation between depression and somatization, emphasizing the mind-body connection. Demographic factors did not significantly impact depression or somatization, suggesting that subjective construing holds more importance than circumstances alone. Tight construing was found to relate to somatization but not depression, implying that the way Taiwanese mothers construe their roles in childrearing is closely connected to somatic symptoms. Surprisingly, the dissimilarity between the actual and ideal self did not correlate with depression or somatization, indicating a possible influence of cultural factors. Moreover, the study highlighted the significant impact of self-construal in public and private spaces on the mental well-being of Taiwanese mothers. It revealed that more depressed and somatized mothers tend to see themselves as similar in both contexts. This challenges whether Western ideas of self-consistency as an indicator of mental health are applicable to East Asian cultures.

Body in Mind

In the last few decades, emotion became one of the central topics in many scientific disciplines. Neuroscientific research has developed many tools and approaches for studying emotions in humans and animals. In this regard, the work of Antonio Damasio has been important for uncovering physiological mechanisms of emotions and feelings and their role in homeostatic regulation. In some aspects, his theory has challenged our own everyday intuitions about what emotions are. The aim of this article is to show that Damasio’s account of affects has underlined the importance of the body in generating feelings and subjective conscious experience and that this view of the two-way communication between the body and brain can offer a fresh perspective on the mind-body problem.

Harmonizing Mind, Body, and Earth: Exploring the Therapeutic Synergy of Dance Movement Therapy and Ecopsychology

Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) has emerged as a versatile and impactful approach to promoting holistic well-being, bridging the intricate connections between the mind, body, and the environment. This comprehensive literature review explores the diverse landscape of recent studies to illuminate the therapeutic potential of DMT in addressing various mental health concerns and enhancing overall psychological and physiological health. The exploration begins with Berger's (2021) investigation into the intersection of DMT practices and ecopsychology, highlighting the development of an eco-somatic community workshop. This study underscores the healing potential of an embodied connection to the natural world, fostering a sense of kinship and responsibility to both individual and collective well-being. Further insights are provided through examinations of DMT interventions with adolescents, biomolecular effects of dance activities, and the widespread use of grounding exercises. Studies by Auborg (2018), Nieves and Jakobsche (2022), and Bräuninger (2015) collectively emphasize the positive impact of movement experiences on motivation, emotional well-being, and the mind-body connection, particularly in populations dealing with anxiety and depression. Additionally, research by Elakiya (2021), Hyvönen et al. (2020), and Karkou et al. (2019) showcases the efficacy of DMT in reducing anxiety and depression levels across diverse populations, including nursing students, individuals diagnosed with depression, and adults coping with Parkinson's disease. The exploration extends to the realm of children's mental health, with Nardi et al.'s (2022) qualitative assessment of DMT techniques for children with anxiety, providing insights into thetherapeutic model based on "mirroring" interventions. These findings collectively underscore the versatility and applicability of DMT in addressing mental health challenges across various demographics and contexts. As the research unfolds, a comprehensive understanding of DMT's therapeutic potential emerges, emphasizing its role in fostering well-being and addressing mental health concerns within an evolving and diverse landscape.

Hypnotherapy as an intervention in infertility treatment

Research and scientific evidence have illuminated the emotional and psychological aspects of fertility. Women grappling with fertility problems endure a range of intense emotions, including shock, frustration, anger, despair, and blame. These feelings are not easily resolved and can persist over time. Many women are unaware of their fertility issues until they actively try to conceive. Hypnotherapy is sometimes used as a complementary therapy in infertility treatment. People find it helpful for reducing stress and anxiety related to infertility, which can indirectly benefit their overall well-being and possibly enhance their chances of conception. Hypnotherapy is typically used to help individuals manage the emotional aspects of infertility, reduce stress, and potentially improve their mental and emotional state, which may positively impact fertility. Research suggests that hypnosis can improve ovulation, increase sperm quality, and enhance embryo implantation, by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. However, it should not be used as a sole or primary treatment for infertility, and it's essential to work with a healthcare provider who specializes in fertility issues to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. The present chapter elucidates on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in infertility counseling with evidence based work done over the years globally as it delves into the history of hypnosis, the brain states associated with it, and its scientific evolution. It emphasizes the role of hypnosis in influencing the mind-body connection, reducing stress, and promoting a positive outlook during fertility treatment.

Surviving Death, Again

The paper begins by briefly engaging critically—on theological grounds—with Dean Zimmerman’s defense of Peter van Inwagen’s Christian Materialist idea that we are identical with our bodies, and so survive bodily death by not actually undergoing bodily death. Next, I consider the view of the mind-body relation that Dean himself is tempted by, namely Emergent Substance Dualism, arguing that it is best seen as a fig leaf that at most works to avoid offending contemporary anti-theistic “traducian” sensibilities. In displacing Emergent Substance Dualism, I set out a Neo-Aristotelian account of essence and embodiment that allows for—indeed entails—the possibility of our surviving the death of our bodies. Along the way a characterization of ontological reductionism is given, which avoids the incoherent thought that reduction goes by way of identity. The characterization makes evident why mental events and states are not reducible to physical events. Finally, two non-reductive relations between mental and physical events, namely subserving and implementing, are defined, and then used to characterize the relation of embodiment, and explain how certain mental acts can be “difference-makers” in the physical realm. I only aim to show that given the manifest failure of psycho-physical ontological reduction, this new account of survival adds no further mystery to the mind-body problem.

A Brief Analysis of the Puzzle of Consciousness

The challenging problem of consciousness, or more traditionally the mind-body problem, continues to maintain its vitality and importance despite all philosophical theories and advances in neuroscience, artificial intelligence and technology. The problem of consciousness has been addressed by both philosophers and scientists from ancient times to the present. In the most general sense, the problem of consciousness, also known as the hard problem, is the problem of how subjective mental states arise from a physical piece of meat. The main purpose of this article is to present a categorical and explanatory analysis of this puzzle of consciousness, which is still important today. For this purpose, first of all, the definitions of the concept of consciousness in the literature will be examined in depth. Afterwards, the characteristics of consciousness that are untamed for science, which turns it into the hard problem for us, will be touched upon, and the puzzle of consciousness will be explained with Chalmers' distinction between easy problems and the hard problem of consciousness. Finally, it is aimed to complete this explanatory analysis on the puzzle of consciousness by making a categorical distinction between traditional solution-oriented approaches to the problem of consciousness.

Investigating Genetic and Environmental Substrates of the Relationship between Positive Mental Health and Biological Aging-A Study Protocol.

The Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) funded a 30-month project (July 2021-January 2024) to conduct a twin study of the relationships between Positive Mental Health (PMH) and cellular longevity. Only a few previous studies have focused on the biomarkers of aging in relation to psychological well-being, and none of them exploited the potential of the twin design. In this project, following the standard procedures of the Italian Twin Registry (ITR), we aim to recruit 200 adult twin pairs enrolled in the ITR. They are requested to complete a self-report questionnaire battery on PMH and to undergo a blood withdrawal for the assessment of aging biomarkers, i.e., telomere length and mitochondrial DNA functionality. The association between psychological and aging biomarker measures will be assessed, controlling for genetic and familial confounding effects using the twin study design. Biomarker assays are underway. Once data are available for the total study sample, statistical analyses will be performed. The project's results may shed light on new mechanisms underlying the mind-body connection and may prove helpful to promote psychological well-being in conjunction with biological functioning.

Translating Renaissance Neoplatonic panpsychism into seventeenth-century corpuscularism: the case of Sir Kenelm Digby (1603–1665)

ABSTRACT Kenelm Digby was among the first authors in England to embrace Cartesianism. Yet Digby’s approach to the mind–body problem was irenic: in his massive Two treatises (Paris, 1644), the author advocates a corpuscular philosophy that is applied to physical bodies, whereas the intellectual capacities of human beings remain inexplicable through the powers of matter. The aim of the present article is to highlight the (rather reticent) relationship of Digby’s corpuscularism with doctrines of spirits in connection with the Renaissance Neoplatonic tradition. Not uncommon in seventeenth-century natural philosophies, such “spirits” are notoriously evasive entities: half spirit, half matter acting as mediators between the realms of bodies and souls. This article suggests that Digby sought to preserve the inveterate ideas of a universal spiritus and a world soul and, in particular, that Kenelm Digby translated (rather than “overcame”) Marsilio Ficino’s (1433–1499) spiritus doctrines into the language of seventeenth-century corpuscularism.

Panpsychism and the mind-body problem in contemporary analytic philosophy

ABSTRACTNot so long ago, the idea that analytic philosophers would be taking panpsychism seriously would have been hard to believe. That is because in its early, logical positivist, stage, the analytic movement earned the reputation of being militantly anti-metaphysical. But analytic philosophy has come a long way since the heyday of logical positivism; and, in fact, the dialectic of recent debates on the mind–body problem among analytic philosophers has pushed many of them in the direction of panpsychism. In this paper, I want to explain how this has come about and take a look at some of the versions of panpsychism that have emerged. This will involve running through a quick history of debates on the mind–body problem since about 1960, focusing on how panpsychism has been proposed as a promising, though not unproblematic, way of breaking an apparent impasse that has emerged between more standard physicalist and dualist theories of mind. Along the way, I will also have occasion to comment on the prospects of panpsychism as a respectable scientific theory and how a number of scientists stand on this.

STRESS-RELIEF, MEDITATION, AND THEIR PERVASIVE INFLUENCE ON HEALTH AND ANTI-AGING: A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE

This article explores the intricate connection between stress, aging, and meditation. Chronic stress accelerates physical and cognitive aging. Meditation emerges as a potent tool by reducing stress and influencing gene expression, offering anti-aging potential. The mind-body connection, including practices like yoga and tai chi, fosters holistic well-being. It emphasizes the role of mindfulness and stress relief practices from Blue Zones. Meditation helps improve sleep, a vital anti-aging contributor. It benefits individuals of all ages, supporting lifelong vitality. This article provides also the practical steps for embarking on a meditation journey.

The psychosomatic experiences of women who had intrauterine foetal death in rural South Africa.

Intrauterine foetal death (IUFD) is a traumatic event leading to substantial grief reactions with a variety of experiences in an expectant woman. After delivery, these experiences have shown to impact the mother's psychological well-being, where she experiences post-traumatic stress, sadness, anxiety and depression. The psychosomatic experiences before labour commenced are not known. This study explored the psychosomatic (mind-body connection) experiences of women who had an IUFD before labour commenced in rural areas of Limpopo province, South Africa. A qualitative approach with an explorative descriptive design was carried out among all 10 consented participants who were selected using a purposive sampling technique. The sample consisted of women who delivered an IUFD as reflected by the hospital register from the selected hospitals. Data were collected at the participants' homes through in-depth individual interviews guided by one open-ended central question as follows, 'Please share with me your experiences of IUFD before you went into labour', and analysed using Tesch's open coding method. Two themes reflecting the psychosomatic (mind-body connection) experiences of women who had an IUFD emerged from the analysis. The themes are danger alerts and emotional responses. This qualitative study revealed that women could relate a lack of or decreased foetal movement as the danger alert or warning sign that the baby was in danger before labour commenced. Upon noticing that something was wrong with the baby, a message was sent to the women's minds, which equally affected and activated their emotional dimensions. An investigation regarding the kind of support needed by women after being informed of an IUFD is recommended.

What Self in Self-Organization? Engaging Varela's Epistemology for the Co-embodied Self

I focus on an early article by Francisco Varela, 'Not One, Not Two' (1976), to argue that his non-dualistic epistemology entails a paradigm shift towards a fundamentally co-embodied, and thus social, view of self. Varela argued that the mind–body duality could be resolved by understanding the mind as embodied. Both Varela and Evan Thompson have later elaborated on this and suggested an enactive, essentially embodied view of the self in terms of selforganized, organismic autonomy. I will argue that the enactive view of the self remains ambiguous with regards to the role of social interactions: are they constitutive for the minimal self-organization of the self or do they only play a shaping, secondary factor? I rely on Varela's epistemology in 'Not One, Not Two' to support my argument that the minimal self-organizational network that is the human self entails both individual bodily and joint co-embodied processes so that the self is already and constitutively social.

Anxiety and Psychosomatics: The Way in Which Anxiety States and Disorders Affect the Body

The awareness of the relationship between mind and body is far from being new. Until about 300 years ago, every medical system in the world treated the mind and body as a whole. But, starting with the 17th century, the Western world began to see mind and body as two distinct entities. According to this view, the body was seen as a kind of machine, complete with independent, replaceable parts, without any connection to the mind. In the 20th century, this view gradually began to change. Teams of researchers began to study the mind-body connection and, scientifically, proved the existence of the complex connection between the body and the mind. The purpose of this paper is to verify if anxiety represents one of the determinant and triggering factors of the psychosomatic diseases and disorders, especially in the context of the pandemic period from the last three years and of the global crisis, by conducting a study involving two groups of people. By analysing the results of the evaluation instruments used for the two groups, we have found out that anxiety, as a trait, leads to psychosomatic diseases.Article’s history:Received 1st of November, 2023; Received in revised form 25th of November, 2023; Accepted 11th of December, 2023; Published as article in Volume I, Issue 1, 2023.Copyright© 2023 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the license CC-BY 4.0., which permits any further distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Keywords: anxiety, psychosomatics, mind-body connection.

Qualitative evaluation of a Salutogenic Healthy Eating Programme for Dutch people with type 2 diabetes.

The salutogenic model of health (SMH) is a health-promoting theory that focuses on resources, strengths, and coping capacities in everyday life as a way to improve health and wellbeing. The SMH was applied to develop a programme for enabling healthy eating practices among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): the SALUD programme. This study aims to gain insight in how participants with T2DM experienced the content and meaning of the SALUD programme. Three focus groups with participants (six to eight participants/group) that finished the SALUD programme were conducted. The focus groups were video-recorded, transcribed ad verbatim and thematically analysed. The SALUD programme was perceived by the participants as a positive, meaningful learning experience. Key factors why the participants described the programme as positive were that they felt a sense of social-belonging and (emotionally) safe (theme 1). The SALUD programme's positive encouraging approach presented by the coach invited participants to join an active learning process (theme 2). Performing trial-and-error experiments and weekly reflecting on goals is what characterized active learning. The meaningfulness of the learning process (theme 3) was derived from (i) positive self-confrontation; (ii) exploring mind-body connections and perceiving improved health and (iii) noticing positive changes in their social environment (theme 3). To conclude, the study uncovered that the SALUD programme incited a positive, meaningful learning process for healthy eating and the contextual factors important in this. Potential leads to further improve the SALUD programme are discussed in order to maximize the chance of inciting an inclusive, active learning process.

Fitness and Yoga in Sports

Yogahasbeenpracticedforabout5,000years.Afewyogaschoolsandorganizationshave sprungupovertime.Findingastyleofyogathatworksforyoutakesalotofeffortatfirst.Ifyou're an aggressive competitor, it's worth customizing your yoga preparation plan to ensure that one particular sport can build muscle while ignoring others. Over time, this process leads to uneven character in muscles and joints, leading to overuse injuries. Yoga helps muscles, ligaments and tendonstravelthroughafullrangeofmotion,developingalignmentandcenterqualityalongthese lines which is a huge advantage for competitors in their chosen sport. Heidi Resiert, a tri- competitorfromSanDiego,said,"I'mgladIdiscoveredyogaandaddedittomyweeklyexercise schedule. In addition to feelingmore grounded, Ifeel more confident that I'll stay damage-free." Anotherfundamentalelementinyogaisbreathwork(pranayama). Breathing during yoga can be considered among the most significant benefits forcompetitors.Figuringouthow toengageand stay focusedthroughawkwardposturesbyfocusing onthevery innerbreathsand exhales setsthe competitor uptostay focused in araceortest exercise. Mind-body connection is fundamental in yoga to help the contestants maintain mental curiosity and focus. By extension, yoga encourages you to loosen up tight muscles, but in addition sharpen and sharpen your mind. Yoga works in the sagittal air, but also in the frontal and horizontal planes, guaranteeing balanced improvement. Increasingly loose will also help with athleticexecution. Thus, why not upgrade your exercise routine and avoid damage by adding yoga to your preparation plan now.

Placemaking Eichstätt: Perspectives and Intersections

This is a short essay on the conference “Taking Place and Making Place: Celebrating 25 Years of Space and Culture” at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (June 23–25, 2022). Based on a handful of notes and personal impressions, this is an unqualified research note and a descriptive overview of this conference from the perspective of a literary scholar. This perspective includes some brief reflections on Nietzsche’s perspectivism and Genevieve Lloyd’s reading of Spinoza as an alternative epistemology to Cartesian mind–body dualism, which approach critical engagement through a set of perspectives arising from the intersections between different fields.