The Contribution of Quantum Mechanics to the Physics of Consciousness and the Rise of Mind-Body Complementary and Alternative Therapies: Quackeries from New Age Movements or a New Medical Science?
Christian Janicki (McGill University Health Center)
Abstract
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are becoming increasingly popular among the general population and patients. A national survey in the US indicated recently that office visits to CAM providers outnumber visits to primary care physicians. These new therapies, sometime called New Age therapies, are generally not recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches. This may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparation, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, distant healing and meditation. Rigorous scientific evaluations are now being proposed by the medical scientific community to evaluate the efficacy of CAMs, and a few number of these therapies are finding a place in the clinical environment (e.g. acupuncture following cancer treatment). Recent developmental/pilot projects in cancer CAMs funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the US include Energy Therapies, Herbal Medicine and Mind-Body Medicine among others.
Mind-Body Medicine and in particular the study of the Biological Effects of Consciousness is of special interests to some physicists. This is because Quantum Mechanics is now being proposed as a basic theory for the exploration of consciousness and the understanding of the brain functions (Quantum Brain Theory). Also, these new theories are being extrapolated to some extreme by New Age groups and gurus in an effort to explain or justify scientifically the possibility of a distant healing process, a theory and CAM practice that has been given the name of "Distant Healing" or "Quantum Healing".
In this talk, we will explore the contributions of Quantum Mechanics to modern brain and consciousness theories (Quantum Brain Theory), and to other claims that acts of consciousness create new realities with ultimately a power to heal (Quantum Healing). We will also discuss how New Age groups or gurus make a profitable use of these new scientific explorations by proposing new paradigms and self-transformation programs and by instilling the belief that everyone is responsible for the creation of his own reality (creating their own cancer for example) but also by promising that everybody can acquire the power to heal themselves or be healed by the group or guru if they follow their training or spiritual method.
We will conclude with a discussion about what can be considered valid science vs what is likely to be deceptive, and talk about how we can educate our patients and the general public to distinguish real science from quackery and deceptive therapies.
Date: Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Time: 16:00
Place: Concordia University, Loyola Campus, Science Pavilion (Building SP), 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, 3rd Floor
Room: SP 365.01
Contact: (514) 848-2424 ext 2595
Note: There are regular shuttle buses traveling between Sir George Williams Campus (1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.) and Loyola Campus; see Shuttle bus schedule.
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