Mind And Body Research Articles

Impact of Yoga On Sports Fitness

If you are a competitive athlete, it is best to tailor your yoga practice to your training schedule because a particular sport can develop certain muscle groups while ignoring others. Over time, this process causes imbalances in the muscles and joints, leading to overuse injuries. Yoga helps the muscles, tendons, and ligaments move through a full range of motion, thus cultivating balance and core strength which is a huge benefit to athletes in their chosen sports. A tri-athlete from San Diego, Heidi Resiert said, “I'm glad I found yoga and added it to my weekly workout routine. Not only do I feel stronger, but I also feel more confident that I will continue to be injury free." Another essential element in yoga is breath work (pranayama). The attention to breath during yoga can be considered one of the most important benefits to athletes. Learning to stay focused and centered through uncomfortable poses by concentrating on even inhalations and exhalations sets up the athlete to stay focused during a race or challenging workout. The mind-body connection in yoga is essential to helping athletes develop mental acuity and concentration. In addition, yoga helps you to relax not just tight muscles, but also anxious and overstressed minds. Yoga works not just in the sagittal plane, but in the frontal and transverse planes as well, ensuring well-rounded development. Being more relaxed will also aid in athletic performance. So, why not enhance your game performance and prevent injury by adding yoga to your training plan now.

Transhumanism, Society and Education: An Edusemiotic Approach

We propose a semiotic framework to underpin a posthumanist philosophy of education, as contrasted to technological determinism. A recent approach to educational processes as semiotic phenomena lends itself as a philosophy to understand the current interplay between education and technology. This view is aligned with the transhumanist movement to defend techno-scientific progress as fundamental to human development. Particularly, we adopt a semiotic approach to education to tackle certain tensions in current debates on the human. Transhumanism scholars share the optimistic belief that there is no limit to how the ethical use of technology can help alleviate suffering and increase our health and wisdom. From this perspective, it appears possible to acquire capacities that require rethinking the notion of human altogether. For others, this undermining of essentialist concepts of humanity entails serious risks, especially related to ethical egalitarianism. We adopte the perspective of edusemiotics, a framework that brings together semiotics, educational theory and philosophy of education. As a theoretical-practical framework, edusemiotics affords a hermeneutic and semiotic method for our approach. Peirce’s logic of signs is used to analyze socio- educational interactions as environmental. We observe two lines of thought. On the one hand, technological transhumanism enhances Cartesian mind–body dualism. On the other hand, philosophical posthumanism seeks to overcome this dichotomy. The former proposal construes human transformation as an artifactualization derived from techno-scientific enhancements. The latter position proposes an integrative posthumanism, capable not only to include edusemiotic theory but also to rethink the concept of learning as mutual to that of human.

Associations between physical activity and subcategories of mental health: A propensity score analysis among a global sample of 341,956 adults

BackgroundEvidence indicates that physical activity (PA) can be a clinically useful and low-cost option for preventing and managing many mental health problems. Further investigation into which specific aspects of mental health are most influenced by PA can help to elucidate the differential effects that PA may confer. PurposeThis study used cross-sectional data from the Global Mind Project to investigate the association of PA on overall mental well-being and various subcategories of mental health across different adult age groups. MethodsParticipants completed the 47-item Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) and reported how frequently they engaged in daily bouts of PA for 30 min or more. Weighted propensity score models were used to estimate the Average Treatment effect on the Control (ATC) of PA engagement on overall mental well-being as well as six subcategories of mental health. ResultsAn estimated ATC of 17.41 was found for overall MHQ, corresponding to a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.25. Among the mental health subcategories, PA engagement was estimated to have the largest ATC for Mind-Body Connection (ATC = 18.90; SMD = 0.30), followed by Adaptability and Resilience (ATC = 17.09; SMD = 0.26), Core Cognition (ATC = 16.00; SMD = 0.24), Drive and Motivation (ATC = 15.43; SMD = 0.24), Mood and Outlook (ATC = 14.81; SMD = 0.21), and Social Self (ATC = 12.53; SMD = 0.17). ConclusionOur findings support the existing literature demonstrating an association of PA engagement on overall mental well-being, and builds on this work by revealing consistent effects that exist across various mental health subcategories and the adult lifespan.

Participants With Acquired Brain Injury Realized They "Could Still Do Things" After a Yoga Intervention: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

Occupational therapy practitioners use yoga in practice to achieve holistic care, and the American Occupational Therapy Association has provided guidance on the use of yoga in occupational therapy. For people with acquired brain injury (ABI), however, it is unknown whether yoga affects occupational performance. To explore the perceived impact of an adapted yoga intervention on occupational performance using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (4th ed.; OTPF-4) for participants with ABI. Qualitative descriptive study using virtual, semistructured interviews. An inductive, holistic, open-coding process, followed by a deductive process to map open codes to the OTPF-4. Nine individuals with ABI were recruited from a yoga intervention study. The theme generated from the data-"Yoga participants with ABI realized that they could still do quite a bit"-was supported by two major categories from the OTPF-4: Occupations and Performance Skills. Participants described improvements in their functional performance (i.e., motor skills, process skills) and how these factors were synergistically connected to their occupational performance (i.e., self-care, leisure). This study provides novel insight into how functional performance improved so participants could "still do things," such as engaging in occupations. When participants described improved performance skills, they simultaneously described re-engagement with their meaningful occupations. Participants also perceived an improvement in their mind-body connection, which should be further explored in future studies. This study generated original findings about participants' perceptions of an adapted yoga intervention as they relate to the OTPF-4. Plain-Language Summary: This study reports individuals' perceptions of their re-engagement with occupations and changes in occupational performance skills after participating in an adaptive yoga intervention. We highlight the distinct contribution that adaptive yoga-an intervention modality that can be used by occupational therapy practitioners-may have, using the OTPF-4 to connect the participants' perceptions about their improvements in occupational performance.

Peer Support Groups Integrated with Trauma-Sensitive Yoga for Women Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Feasibility Study and Qualitative Examination.

Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is an evidence-based yoga protocol and approach used for somatic trauma care. Seven women participated in a 12-week TCTSY-integrated peer support group for sexual violence survivors at a community rape crisis center. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted: interview 1 at 1-2 months post-group, interview 2 at 8-9 months post-group, and interview 3 at 24-33 months post-group. Thematic analysis was conducted following Clandinin and Connelly's three-dimensional space approach. Participants described themes related to improvements in trauma symptoms, mind-body connection, present-centered awareness, self-regulation, and relationships with self and others. Changes were sustained at the final interview. TCTSY-integrated peer support groups appeared feasible and acceptable to women victim-survivors of sexual violence.

Reconstructing a Theory of Mind in the Mengzi

This article reconstructs a theory of mind in the Mengzi 孟子. It argues that recent studies in favor of mind-body dualism import Cartesianism through the vocabulary their arguments are couched in. This article exposes this “Cartesian language game” in order to effect a gestalt shift in our understanding of Mengzian philosophy. It then appeals to John Dewey’s conception of mind as both “minding” and “discourse” where mind is a function of attentive engagement predicated on a background of traditional values and meanings. This article then shows how the Mengzi’s concepts of ren 仁 and tian 天 contribute to a theory of mind where the former is defined as xin 心 thus to be understood as “mindful engagement” and the latter implies tradition as shared reservoir of social and cultural meaning. Through the interpretive comparison of the philosophies of the Mengzi and Dewey, we can reconstruct a Mengzian theory of mind.

The Mind-Body Problem in the Context of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

This study is to determine the possible pathophysiological parameters associated with the development of anxiety and impaired consciousness in patients with acute coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Descriptive pathophysiological and pathopsychological data was collected from 89 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 across 7 infectious hospitals, where 14 trainees in psychiatry and neurology collected data from December 2020 to June 2021. Contingency tables and logistic regression analyses were made to reveal associations and to detect predictors of patients' states of anxiety or impaired consciousness. Anxiety and impaired consciousness were observed in 28 patients (31.50%); 22 (25.00%) presented with anxiety symptoms, and 7 (7.90%) had impaired consciousness. The degree of their association was low (Fisher's exact = 0.675 (df = 1), P = .495). Different pathophysiological mechanisms were shown to determine the development of anxiety or impaired consciousness within COVID-19. Predictors of anxiety were oxygen saturation (OR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.04-1.54; P = .021), cardiovascular disorders (OR = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.52; P = .003), disorders of the nervous system (OR = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.84; P = .038), and urogenital system (OR = 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02-0.87; P = .035). The predictive power of the model was 80.23% (P ≤ .001). The development of impaired consciousness was associated with age (OR = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.21; P = .025) and C-reactive protein level (OR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.99-1.04; P = .060), and the predictive power of the model was 94.52% (P ≤ .001). The prevalence of psychopathological disorders associated with acute COVID-19 was high: n = 28 (31.50%) for anxiety and impaired consciousness. Moreover, a 1.00% increase in the saturation index was associated with a 1.3-fold increase in the patient's risk of developing anxiety. Thus, anxiety symptoms may be considered within a personality rather than an infectious-inflammatory response to COVID-19.

What is Matter? Differential Dualism in Bergson’s Philosophy

This essay addresses, in the context of modern (17th to 20th centuries) philosophy, the mind-body problem shared by the metaphysics of the mind and the philosophy of physics through the contrast between conflicting theories about the status of matter. To do so, it (i) reconstitutes the changing conceptualization of matter during the break between classical natural philosophy and modern natural philosophy; (ii) indicates the split caused by the prioritization or abandonment of the concept of matter in modern natural philosophy; (iii) shows how, for Henri Bergson’s philosophy of matter, the mind-body problem originates from the Cartesian conception and its unfolding in other philosophies; and (iv) examines Bergson’s critical assumption of a conception of matter familiar from J. Maxwell, J. Thomson and M. Faraday. Finally, a Bergsonian distinction is proposed between two types of “extension” (l’étendue and l’extension), implying a new type of ontological dualism (“differential dualism”) that affirms the irreducibility of mind to matter and illustrates their possible synchronicity.

How Entropy Explains the Emergence of Consciousness: The Entropic Theory

Abstract Aim: Emergentism as an ontology of consciousness leaves unanswered the question as to its mechanism. I aim to solve the body–mind problem by explaining how conscious organisms emerged on an evolutionary basis at various times in accordance with an accepted scientific principle through a mechanism that cannot be understood, in principle. Proposal: The reason for this cloak of secrecy is found in a seeming contradiction in the behavior of information with respect to the first two laws of thermodynamics. Information, the microstate of particles within an isolated system’s macrostate, can, like first-law energy, be neither created nor destroyed, yet the information in the system, like second-law entropy, will inevitably increase. To explain information increasing without being created, Laplace’s demon is invoked, able to predict where each particle is destined. This doesn’t work for emerging events like consciousness, which are unpredictable. This can be understood in terms of the derivation of entropy, and the emergence of classical physics, from the Relativistic Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. I propose that the increased entropy in a time-irreversible, unpredictable (emergent) isolated system requires the simultaneous deletion of information concerning the steps, or calculations, involved. Conclusion: Thus, the steps leading to consciousness are immediately destroyed and must remain a mystery. Implications include that entropy, not panpsychism, is the universal principle generative of consciousness, that our being conscious proves that we are not predetermined, and that consciousness requires assuming an “entropy debt” that can only be repaid by living organisms, prohibiting the emergence of conscious machines.

Illusionist Theory of Consciousness as a Development of Identity Theory of the Mental and the Physical

A few years ago, an illusionist theory of consciousness appeared in the philosophy of consciousness. It makes an unexpected statement – there is actually no phenomenal consciousness, it is illusory. This illusion is created introspective distortion of physical processes in the brain, which seem to us to have special phenomenal properties. However, an equally strong form of physicalism in the philosophy of consciousness has already appeared more than fifty years ago – identity theory of the mental and physical. Moreover, the proponents of illusionism themselves admit their connection with the identity theorists. As a result, it is reasonable to ask whether illusionism is simply a modern adaptation of the identity theory, and not a new independent theory. This article is devoted to this issue. First, the author presents both theories, focusing on their key statements, arguments and advantages described by the followers of the respective approaches. Then the author makes a comparison, highlighting common places and differences for the approaches. Among the former, the following are noted: the physicalist spirit of both theories; their denial of the existence of a special mental properties metaphysically different from physical ones; argumentation in favor of the pragmatic attractiveness of a theory; defending their key theses as primarily hypotheses that may turn out to be true; a similar strategy for explaining the error, as a result of which we come to the conclusion about the existence of the mental. However, the author also points out a number of serious differences: different attitudes to the possibility of neutral notion for properties of experience; differences in the vision of the content of the mind-body problem; illusionist denial of the real referent of the language of phenomenality; the development of the concept of illusion, which entails a number of new solutions and problems; the epistemological significance of the main arguments of illusionism is more influential in comparison with identity theory. As a result, the author comes to the conclusion that, despite the fact that a significant part of the content of the theories coincides, illusionism has a number of key differences. This testifies, on the one hand, to the skillful use of past achievements of the physicalist-oriented philosophy of consciousness, and, on the other, to the fundamental novelty and independence of illusionism.

세계 내에서 관계하는 몸으로 바라본 위약효과

Placebo effects are intriguing phenomena in which beneficial healing effects happen despite the administration of a placebo, which has no active substances or involves inert procedures. Multi-dimensional characteristics have been involved in placebo effects, exhibiting various and non-specific modalities. The two most representative well-known explanatory models on placebo effects, expectancy and conditioning theories, which have perspectives rooted in Cartesian dualism that separate mind and body, show inherent limitations and problems in sufficiently explaining placebo effects. In order to elucidate placebo effects which shows non-separative, connective and relating aspects, new models capable of embracing and explaining such aspects are required. This study attempted to examine how placebo effects could happen in our bodies by means of studies based upon phenomenology and enactivism as models to account for the connective, combining, and interactive relations between various dimensions. This study elucidates the mechanisms of placebo effects using the phenomenological and various enactive concepts. At the heart of connections and relations between several heterogenous dimensions, relating bodies as embodied beings are closely involved in the dynamic interactions with our mind and environments. Our bodies where health, illness, and healing processes through medical practices including placebo effects take place could be considered as the very relation itself in which our internal and external worlds encounter and interact. This study suggests that continual establishment and verification of new theories concerning these relations, which are manifested in placebo effect, are required to deal persuasively with the topic, and the need for appropriate utilization of the relational aspects of placebo effects.

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.