Two Near-Death Experiences: What I Saw When I Died

Two Near-Death Experiences: What I Saw When I Died

M Hasan    9:31 AM   

As I stared at a Halloween-like picture of my own skull, including gaping eye and nose sockets, I shivered, shocked by the no-nonsense view of what lay beneath my skin. A dental technician convinced me to get a panoramic X-ray that included my whole head. She took the X-ray, then kept the image displayed above me when she left the room. The panoramic aspect of the shot had distorted my mouth into a wide, toothy grin. I felt as if this future iteration of me carried a message: “Hello dearie, this is where you are headed.”

Squirming in the dentist’s chair, I thought about the other times I’d come face to face with my own mortality. I’ve had two near-death experiences (NDEs), although I wouldn’t have known to categorize them that way when each happened. The occurrences had distinctly different features, but years later, when I read books that summarized information on thousands of NDEs, I noticed they described events like those I’d gone through.

My first NDE happened just after I went into early labor with my oldest child. I wound up at the hospital with stroke-level blood pressure, low platelets, liver dysfunction and seizure activity. The midwife was fumbling with a catheter when the obstetrician yelled, “Get her into the O.R. now!” Then, I found myself, or the essence of myself, floating in the corner of the labor room, near the ceiling, looking down on the scene, as I was rushed to the operating room and they tried to resuscitate me and save both me and my son. Weirdly, I felt no emotion.

The doctors took our tiny baby by cesarean section. For various reasons, he landed in the neonatal intensive care unit for about two weeks. They kept me in a medically induced coma for three days while trying to stabilize all that had gone awry. I continued to battle health issues for months. Except for my husband, Bruce, I don’t remember telling anyone about my out-of-body experience. I didn’t know what to make of it nor how to talk about it. Instead, I focused on care of our fragile son and regaining my own health.

My second NDE occurred on a bitterly cold Valentine’s Day, so cold I put on my mother’s wool Chesterfield coat, a thick, cumbersome garment that I’d only worn a couple of times. Bruce and I planned to meet two other couples downtown at a restaurant called The Local. As we approached a busy intersection, my last memory was of feeling thankful when I spotted a brilliant green traffic light ahead. The stop at those two roads had always seemed like an eternity. We were running late, so I felt happy that we could breeze through.

We didn’t breeze through. Later, I learned that a man with no license, driving an SUV with no registration, plowed through the intersection, crossed into our lane, and smashed into us head-on. Based on the damage caused by the impact, his car had to be going more than 40 miles an hour. The collision turned our Volvo into rubble. The airbag hit my husband, breaking his glasses and cutting his forehead. When Bruce, who is a physician, noticed me slumped and unconscious, he attempted to check my vitals. After he couldn’t find signs of breathing or a heartbeat, he panicked and repeatedly yelled my name.

Immediately after the crash, I had no awareness of myself as a unique entity — no cognition of having a distinct identity. Instead, I felt utterly and profoundly peaceful in a way that I’d never sensed. To my core, I felt safe and at home. I seemed to be immersed in glowing yellow. I don’t know how to describe the sensation except that I felt as if I’d been dropped in a vat of pudding, but in a good way. I didn’t feel dead. If anything, I felt blissfully alive.

I experienced a comforting euphoria and sensed my essence shimmering in the middle of a life force. As I write these words, I am reminded of string theory, the idea in theoretical physics that the whole universe is made of tiny, distinct strands, closed loops of energy, each string vibrating at its own frequency. Perhaps, at that moment, I became a closed loop of energy, both part of and distinct from the rest of the universe.

When I heard Bruce’s voice calling my name from a vast distance, I felt annoyed. I wanted to stay put. To be honest, I don’t remember making a clear decision to go back. At that point, I’m not sure I felt that I had enough agency — that I possessed a “self” capable of making that decision.

Over the years I’ve become weepy when I remember my strong resistance to returning. Maybe the source of my tears is rooted in guilt, that my reluctance to return to my earthly body represents a betrayal of my loved ones, preferring the yellow pudding place to a continued life with them. Or maybe the weepiness is simply longing for the peace of that other home I felt.

When I finally did return to my body, inexplicably, I felt no pain. It took me a while to process that we’d been in an accident and that I was staring at the crushed interior of our once sturdy Volvo. I saw crooked headlights from the other vehicle shining into the interior of our car at a disturbing angle. Surreal light illuminated tiny, glimmering particles in front of me. Maybe they were parts of the deployed airbag or maybe a substance emanating from the engine?

Outside the car, smoke or steam filled the air, I don’t know which. I saw the dark shape of a person with long hair running past the front of our car, waving his hands and yelling. Later, I found out this was the driver of the other vehicle. I looked beside me to see Bruce, with blood covering his pale face. He seemed to be speaking, but I couldn’t understand his words.

My next memory is of a man opening the passenger door and talking to me. To this day, I can picture him clearly: in his 40s, curly hair with a receding hairline, button-down dress shirt and no tie. He looked like a guy you’d find working behind a desk in some office. He said, “I’m going to release your seat belt, but I don’t want to move you unless the engine catches fire. I will stay with you until the ambulance arrives.” Then, the man knelt outside the car and held my hand until the emergency technicians showed up and strapped me onto a gurney.

Long after the crash, while we were comparing notes, Bruce told me he had no memory of the man and said he never saw anyone except the EMTs arriving. After hearing this, I wanted to track down emergency personnel at the scene to both verify the existence of the guy and see if anyone took his name so I could thank him, but we were never able to find any witnesses.

I wound up with deep bruising to my ribs. For months, every time I breathed, I felt as if my chest were encased in barbed wire. I went through months of therapy to reduce the large hematoma that lay over my heart. I’ve often wondered if my mother’s sturdy Chesterfield coat saved my life that night.

Once again, except to Bruce, I made no mention of those otherworldly experiences at the accident site. I wanted to protect my immediate family from knowing how close I’d come to death, so I didn’t mention details to them. In the weeks following the crash, I said nothing about my NDE to friends, still unsure of how to name and frame my experience.

I am naturally a skeptical person. My former work as the co-director of a research and resource center in the department of maternal and child health at Dartmouth Medical School required me to think pragmatically. That wasn’t a stretch because it’s how I’m wired. Back in New Testament days, I’m sure I would have been just like Thomas, insisting that I touch the wounds of Jesus before I could believe he came back from the dead.

It took my having two NDEs to make me believe they exist. Would I have been convinced if I hadn’t experienced them? My guess is no. I don’t know if everyone needs to have an NDE to fully understand them. I just know it’s the case for me.

So, what does a “I have to see it to believe it” person do with experiencing two NDEs? They didn’t fit into my idea of how the world works. I kept quiet about them until two years ago when a friend lent me a book about NDEs written by a physician and researcher at the University of Virginia. After I read that book, I checked out several other studies on the topic. I felt both shocked and comforted when I realized that so many of the accounts in scientific literature matched my experiences. Having a name for what I went through and knowing that many people shared similar experiences has made me more willing to tell people about my NDEs.

Even though I am comforted that they exist, I’ve neither met nor sought out a person who has had a near-death experience. Perhaps I fear that someone might try to pressure me into believing whatever explanation they have worked out regarding NDEs. I’ll probably change my mind about this, but right now I’m not ready.

I hesitate to draw any firm conclusions about my NDEs. I know that an experience in the past doesn’t guarantee how a future experience will transpire. However, I am reassured that I felt no emotional distress or physical pain either time. Whether it’s rational or not, I don’t dread my precise moment of death. (Of course, that sentiment might change at any time.) My faith in God is neither based on nor necessarily bolstered by the NDEs. I am grateful that I survived each event and remain curious about what the experiences might mean.

So far, if anyone I’ve told about my NDEs has doubted my words, no one has said so outright. Mostly, people respond, “I’m so glad you are alive” or “how mysterious.” If anyone ever does accuse me of fabricating the events, unless they were ridiculing me, I don’t think I’d care. I’m not selling anything, nor am I trying to prove anything. My memories are clear and precise. When I compare them with journal entries from the time, the exact details of those memories have persisted. I know what happened and am not bothered by anyone else’s incredulity.

As a child, I was told exactly what I should believe regarding what happens after you die. I grew up attending a tiny church mostly made up of my Protestant Italian American family members. My grandfather and uncle gave the sermons, my aunt led the singing, and my father served as a deacon. As best I can remember, they firmly believed and taught me that when you passed, you fell asleep until resurrection day, when you’d wake up to either happy news based on your good behavior or a reckoning because of your bad behavior. They didn’t believe in hell, so the reckoning never included being sent there.

I have deep respect for my family members and their beliefs, but over time, my spiritual journey headed in another direction. I’ve attended a variety of other Protestant denominations, all of which had slightly different takes on the afterlife. To this day, I’m not sure about what happens after death, but am not sweating the details.

These days, I’m less religious but more spiritual. I worry less about following rules and pay more attention to listening for guidance. I feel more connected to other people but not anxious about and responsible for convincing them to adopt one set of beliefs or another. I have no doubt about the existence of God but now have a more expansive, inclusive and flexible view of how God operates. I’ve let God out of the box I’d created. Paradoxically, this makes my life feel both terrifying and exciting.

My NDEs brought the finiteness of life into sharp focus. I rarely procrastinate because I am never completely convinced that I will be given the gift of another tomorrow. Although that outlook may seem gloomy, it’s not. That conviction has caused me to pursue my passions, to learn how to paint portraits, figure out how to play my mandolin up and down the neck, and to save up and buy a 22-year-old pickup truck so I can transport my bike and kayak more easily on adventures. Keenly aware that my life will reach its end at a specific time, I feel a nudge to squeeze the most out of every minute.

Sometimes when I’m slammed by the slings and arrows of my daily life, I feel wistful, yearning for that vat of yellow pudding — a place that seemed more like home than any other on Earth. Yet, I’ve never felt quite so wistful that I wanted to make an immediate departure.

Although happiness often eludes me, when I remember to notice, I experience sparks of joy each day — like when I eat a thick slice of Sicilian pizza straight out of the oven or watch a sunset burn orange to purple over our meadow, or when I have a soul-nourishing talk with a close friend while kayaking on Ivy Creek. Although I’m curious and cautiously optimistic about what lies ahead, for now, I’m content to snuggle into all the bad and all the good in my life here.

Early this morning, out of the blue, a close friend (who did not know I was writing an essay on this topic) texted me an Elizabeth Barrett Browning quote that beautifully summarizes my current feelings: “Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God…”

Boredom Pushes People Toward Unpleasant New Experiences

Boredom Pushes People Toward Unpleasant New Experiences

M Hasan    7:00 AM   

Understanding the Role of Boredom in Human Behavior

A recent study published in the journal Emotion has revealed that boredom can be a powerful motivator for people to seek out new experiences, even if those experiences are unpleasant. This research, conducted across three experiments, found that individuals who felt bored were more inclined to choose novel experiences, including those that evoked negative emotions like disgust. These findings challenge the traditional view of boredom as merely a nuisance and instead suggest that it may play a functional role by encouraging people to move away from repetitive or emotionally unstimulating situations.

For many years, psychology largely dismissed boredom as a trivial state with little impact on behavior. However, researchers have begun to reconsider its significance in recent years. Boredom is a common experience in daily life and has been linked to various behaviors, such as impulsivity, risk-taking, and disengagement in academic and work settings.

The research, led by Shane Bench of Utah State University Eastern and Heather Lench of Texas A&M University, explores what boredom actually motivates people to do. According to a functional perspective on emotions, feelings like anger, sadness, and joy serve specific purposes. They arise in response to particular situations and guide behavior in ways that help people achieve their goals. The researchers proposed that boredom fits into this framework by acting as a signal that one’s current activity is no longer satisfying or meaningful, prompting a shift toward something new — even if that “something new” isn’t necessarily enjoyable.

“We had two related interests,” explained Bench, an associate professor. “We wanted to consider anti-hedonistic behaviors (why people choose to experience something negative) and we were interested in exploring how and why people disengage from a goal and the role boredom, as a functional emotion, may play. We proposed that boredom signals disengagement from a current goal and motivates the pursuit of a novel experience. By ‘novel’ we do not necessarily mean completely new, just affectively different from the current state (e.g., if in a positive state, negative would be affectively different).”

“In this sense, boredom, while frequently considered a passing or meaningless state, could serve an important functional purpose – helping people move on from something that is no longer emotionally intense, to pursue something that will elicit a more intense emotion.”

Experiments on Boredom and Novelty Seeking

The researchers conducted three separate experiments to test their ideas. Each study used different methods to induce boredom and examine how people responded to it.

In the first experiment, 55 college students were shown a series of neutral images multiple times to induce boredom. Participants then rated how bored they felt. After this, they were given a choice: continue viewing similar neutral images or switch to a set of novel but unpleasant images, such as cockroaches or dirty dishes. More than half of the participants chose to view the negative images. Importantly, the more bored participants reported feeling, the more likely they were to make this choice.

“I was surprised that the negative image sets were chosen!” Bench told My healthy of life. “They were not pleasant, and based on models of hedonism, I thought that people would not choose them over more positive (or less negative) options. We chose this method because we thought it would be a strong test of our proposal of boredom as a signal and motivator to pursue change.”

This finding suggested that boredom did not simply make people passive. Instead, it appeared to motivate them to seek a change — even if that change brought on negative emotions like disgust. Trait boredom (a person’s general tendency to get bored easily) did not predict these choices, which indicates that the effect was tied to the immediate experience of boredom rather than a stable personality characteristic.

In the second study, the researchers sought to better understand what drives people’s choices when they are bored. This time, 150 participants were randomly assigned to either a high-boredom or low-boredom condition. Those in the high-boredom group repeatedly viewed neutral images for about 12 minutes. The low-boredom group either saw the images only briefly or not at all.

Participants then chose between two new sets of images: one that was unpleasant and one that was emotionally neutral. Unlike the first study, both options were new. Participants were also asked how much their decision was motivated by a desire for something novel.

Those in the high-boredom condition were more likely to pick the negative image set, and they also reported a stronger desire for novelty. A statistical analysis showed that this desire for novelty helped explain the link between boredom and choosing the unpleasant experience. In other words, boredom led to a craving for something new, and that craving influenced participants’ decisions.

The third experiment pushed the question even further. Could boredom that came from a positive experience still lead people to choose something negative?

In this study, 145 participants were divided into four groups. Each group repeatedly viewed either positive or negative images that were either highly arousing or only mildly arousing. All participants eventually reported feeling moderately bored, regardless of whether the images were pleasant or unpleasant.

Participants then chose between four new sets of images: one that was more positive, one more negative, one similar to what they had just seen, and one that was neutral. Over 70 percent of participants chose a set that differed from the one they had seen before. Notably, people who were bored by positive images often chose more negative ones, and those bored by negative images tended to switch to more positive ones.

The researchers also asked participants how strongly they felt a desire to experience something either positive or negative. Those bored by positive images were more likely to report a desire for negative experiences, and this desire predicted their choice to view more negative images. This pattern was reversed for those who were bored by negative images.

Taken together, the studies suggest that boredom prompts a search for emotional change. The target of that change does not have to be positive — it only needs to be different. Emotional contrast appears to be the key motivator.

“We found that boredom motivated people to seek affectively (emotionally) different experiences – even if the different experience was hedonically negative,” Bench said. “That is, when made bored by watching a series of repeating neutral images (things like: a leaf, a building, or a light bulb – images that people had rated as neutral), participants were more likely to choose an experience they expected to elicit negative emotion (i.e., they chose to view more images based on sample of images that included cockroaches, a destroyed building, and dirty dishes – things that were consistently rated as affectively negative).”

“This choice was driven by participants reported desire for novelty. In addition, participants made bored by viewing positive images (things like: people skydiving or appetizing desserts) were more likely to choose to view negative images (like: a snarling dog or people walking from a plane crash), and participants made bored by negative images were more likely to choose positive images. In all cases, this is evidence of boredom increasing a desire for something affectively (or emotionally) different from the current experience.”

Limitations and Future Research

While the findings are consistent across studies, the research does have some limitations. Most notably, the main outcome in all three experiments was a single decision made in a laboratory setting. It remains unclear how these choices would play out in real-world settings where people face more complex and meaningful options. For example, it is not clear whether someone who is bored would choose to start an argument, try something risky, or engage in a creative task.

The researchers also did not test whether these choices actually reduced boredom or improved participants’ mood. The findings show that people sought out new experiences when bored, but they do not demonstrate whether this helped them feel better or more fulfilled afterward.

In addition, the participants were mostly college students, which may limit how broadly the findings can be applied. Boredom is a common experience across ages and cultures, but the ways people cope with it may vary. Cultural preferences about emotional experiences, for example, could influence whether someone is more likely to seek out high-energy excitement or quiet introspection.

The authors suggest that future studies should look more closely at the consequences of boredom-driven choices. Do people feel better after seeking out a new emotional experience? Or are some of these choices maladaptive in the long run? Research in this area could also explore how individual differences — such as sensation-seeking or morbid curiosity — shape how people respond to boredom.

Another direction would be to examine boredom in more naturalistic settings, such as classrooms or workplaces. If boredom truly pushes people toward change, then understanding its effects could help educators, employers, and policymakers design environments that channel that motivation in productive ways.

“Often people wonder if approaching boredom as a functional emotion is intended to frame boredom as a ‘good’ thing,” Bench added. “Our theory does not view boredom as good or bad, but as an emotion that serves a specific function (signaling to disengage from a current task and motivating engagement of something different). This would be advantageous in certain circumstances and disadvantageous in others.”

The study, “Boredom as a Seeking State: Boredom Prompts the Pursuit of Novel (Even Negative) Experiences,” was authored by Shane W. Bench and Heather C. Lench.

A Psychologist's Warning: 8 Hard-to-Notice Guilt-Tripping Phrases

A Psychologist's Warning: 8 Hard-to-Notice Guilt-Tripping Phrases

M Hasan    6:10 AM   

Understanding Guilt-Tripping in Relationships

Guilt-tripping is a common yet often overlooked issue that can arise in various relationships, whether with a partner, family member, or friend. It involves one person making another feel guilty for a perceived wrongdoing, often to gain some form of control or to shift responsibility onto the other individual. This behavior can be both overt and subtle, and when it becomes a repeated pattern, it can have serious consequences on the emotional well-being of those involved.

According to clinical psychologist Dr. Patty Johnson, guilt-tripping can serve as a substitute for expressing needs in a healthy manner. Instead of clearly communicating what they want, individuals may resort to guilt-tripping to get their way. This can lead to resentment on both sides, as the person applying guilt may feel unappreciated, while the recipient feels overwhelmed and uncertain about how to meet the vague expectations.

This cycle of guilt and resentment can create miscommunication, unexpressed needs, and a breakdown in trust. The key to addressing this issue lies in honest and direct communication. By expressing needs clearly and specifically, individuals can foster mutual understanding and respect, which helps prevent the negative effects of guilt-tripping.

Common Subtle Guilt-Tripping Phrases

There are several phrases that might seem harmless at first but can actually be forms of guilt-tripping. Recognizing these can help you respond more effectively and maintain your sense of self-worth.

1. “I’m really busy right now. I’ll do it later.”
   While this could simply be a statement of fact, it can also be a passive-aggressive way of avoiding a task. If someone says this, it’s important to ask for clarity—such as a timeline or deadline—to ensure the task is actually going to be completed.

2. “So, I’m just for the worst person for…”
   This sarcastic remark can come from someone feeling defensive. Even if you’ve raised a concern gently, they may use this phrase to deflect blame. A good response is to redirect the focus back to your feelings, such as saying, “I’m expressing how I feel, not insulting you.”

3. “You’re NEVER late.”
   This phrase might be delivered with a smirk or laugh, masking underlying resentment. It’s important to question whether the comment is truly a joke or if there are deeper emotions at play. You can ask, “Is this a joke, or is there something else you’re feeling?”

4. “Oh, you should have reminded me you wanted my help.”
   This can make the recipient feel responsible for reminding the other person of their commitment. If this happens, it’s helpful to remind them that they had already agreed to assist, and there was no need for a reminder.

5. “It might be better if you do it this way.”
   At first glance, this may sound like a helpful suggestion, but it can also be a way of undermining the other person’s autonomy. In response, you can explore the reasoning behind the suggestion and stand firm in your decision, stating, “I feel good about my decision, and I’m not comfortable with changing it.”

6. “Either is fine. I don’t care.”
   This phrase can be used to avoid making a choice or to express hidden resentment. To counter this, ask for more specific input, such as, “Can you be more specific?”

7. “I’m tired, but I’ll do it for you.”
   This is a classic example of playing the victim. While it may seem like an honest expression of need, it can also be a way to manipulate the other person into feeling obligated. A good response is to encourage honesty, such as, “I’d rather that you be honest with yourself about whether you’d like to do this or not.”

8. “Remember what a pain it was to…”
   This phrase is often used to hold past favors over someone’s head. While it may seem like a shared memory, it can also imply that the person is expected to return the favor. You can respond by acknowledging their help and then clarifying your stance, such as, “I appreciate you helping me. But it feels like you’re expecting something in return for doing that.”

How to Respond with Empowerment

The key to dealing with guilt-tripping is to respond with confidence and clarity. Rather than letting the guilt-tripper control the narrative, take the opportunity to assert your boundaries and express your needs. By staying true to yourself and communicating openly, you can protect your emotional well-being and build healthier relationships.

12 Hidden Reasons for Memory Loss You Should Know

12 Hidden Reasons for Memory Loss You Should Know

M Hasan    9:00 PM   

Understanding the Causes of Memory Loss

Memory loss, or the inability to recall information within a short period, can be caused by various physical and mental conditions. Some causes may be addressed through lifestyle changes, while others might require medical attention. Understanding these factors is essential for identifying potential solutions and seeking appropriate care.

Common Causes of Memory Loss

1. Thyroid Problems

The thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck, produces hormones that play a role in brain development and memory retention. Imbalances such as hyperthyroidism (excess hormone) or hypothyroidism (insufficient hormone) can affect cognitive functions, leading to confusion or "brain fog."

2. Sleep Disturbances

Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Conditions like obstructive sleep apnea or insomnia can interfere with neural processing, making it harder for the brain to process and retain memories. Lack of sleep can also impact higher-level cognitive tasks such as planning and decision-making.

3. Infections

Infections, including viral and bacterial ones, have been linked to memory impairment. A 2022 study showed that infections like COVID-19 can negatively affect cognitive function. Similarly, bacterial infections may trigger inflammation in the brain, which can impair memory and other cognitive abilities.

4. Menopause

Menopause involves a decline in estrogen and progesterone levels, which can impact cognitive function. Many individuals experience memory issues during this time. However, once menopause ends, cognitive function often improves.

5. Nutritional Deficiencies

A diet high in saturated fats or low in key nutrients like vitamin B12 can lead to memory problems. Vitamin B12 is found in animal-based foods, so those with plant-based diets or digestive disorders may be at risk for deficiency.

6. Certain Medications

Some medications used to treat conditions like seizures, anxiety, or pain can cause side effects that impair memory. These include anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, anti-seizure medications, opioids, sleeping aids, and tricyclic antidepressants.

7. Stroke

A stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, can cause significant brain damage, including memory loss. Silent infarcts, which are similar to strokes but without obvious symptoms, also increase the risk of cognitive impairment.

8. Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and ischemic heart disease can contribute to memory issues. Research suggests that up to 25% of cognitive impairments are linked to cardiovascular health.

9. Head Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions, can affect memory and cognitive function. If you experience persistent memory problems after an injury, consulting a healthcare professional is important.

10. Alcohol and Tobacco Use

Both alcohol and tobacco use are associated with memory issues. Alcohol can impair short-term memory and lead to long-term brain damage. Smoking reduces blood flow to the brain, affecting memory formation.

11. Mental Health Conditions

Stress, anxiety, and depression can all impact memory. These conditions can disrupt brain function and make it difficult to focus or learn new information. Additionally, some medications used to treat mental health conditions may affect memory.

12. Age-Related Changes

As people age, parts of the brain shrink, and communication between neurons slows. While this can make complex tasks take longer, older adults can still learn new skills with more time and effort.

Preventing and Coping With Memory Loss

To help prevent memory loss, consider incorporating regular exercise, a nutrient-rich diet, and sufficient sleep into your daily routine. For those already experiencing memory issues, the following strategies may help:

• Plan your day: Establish a routine that aligns with your energy levels and concentration.
• Exercise your body and mind: Physical activity improves cardiovascular health and releases endorphins, which support cognitive function. Engaging in puzzles or other mentally stimulating activities can also help.
• Get help remembering things: Use electronic devices to store important information, such as phone numbers or emergency details.
• Cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT): This intervention helps individuals regain cognitive function through personalized training programs.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Occasional forgetfulness is normal, but certain signs may indicate a more serious issue. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following: - Getting lost in familiar places - Frequent confusion about people, places, or time - Difficulty performing basic self-care tasks - Repeating questions or asking the same things multiple times - Struggling to follow instructions or directions

Gone, But Not Forgotten: Brain's Body Map Remains After Amputation

Gone, But Not Forgotten: Brain's Body Map Remains After Amputation

M Hasan    4:00 PM   

New Research Challenges Long-Held Beliefs About Brain Plasticity

A groundbreaking study has revealed that the brain maintains a stable "map" of the body even after a limb is amputated, challenging long-standing assumptions about how the brain adapts following such an event. The research, conducted by scientists from the UK and US, suggests that these maps remain largely unchanged, which could have significant implications for treating phantom limb pain and advancing brain-computer interface technologies.

The somatosensory cortex, a region of the brain responsible for processing sensory information like touch, temperature, and pain, contains detailed maps of the body. These maps are typically thought to reorganize after an amputation, with neighboring areas taking over the functions previously associated with the missing limb. However, this new study provides evidence that contradicts this idea.

A Unique Approach to Studying Brain Maps

For the first time, researchers followed three individuals who were scheduled to undergo hand amputation. They used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to create detailed maps of the participants’ hand and face regions both before and after the surgery. This approach allowed them to compare brain activity patterns in the same individuals before and after the loss of a limb, something that had not been done in previous studies.

Before the amputation, all participants were able to move their fingers and purse their lips. During the scans, they performed these actions while lying in the fMRI machine. The results showed that the brain regions corresponding to the hand and lips remained closely positioned, as expected.

After the amputation, the participants repeated the tasks, imagining moving their fingers and pursing their lips. Researchers found that the brain regions activated during these tasks were almost identical to those observed before the surgery, even though the hand was no longer present.

Implications for Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom limb pain is a common issue among amputees, where they feel sensations or pain in the missing limb. The study’s findings suggest that the brain does not actually "forget" the limb, but rather continues to process signals as if it were still there. This could explain why many amputees experience persistent sensations, even years after the amputation.

The research also challenges current treatments for phantom limb pain, which often focus on restoring the limb's representation in the brain. However, the study indicates that these approaches may be addressing the wrong problem. Instead, the researchers propose that the issue lies in the nerves remaining disconnected from their original sensory targets, leading to abnormal signals being sent to the brain.

Potential for Advancements in Prosthetics

The stability of the brain’s body maps has exciting implications for the development of advanced prosthetics and brain-computer interfaces. If the brain continues to maintain its original map of the body, it becomes more feasible to control robotic limbs using neural signals. This could lead to more intuitive and responsive prosthetics that better mimic natural movement.

Dr. Hunter Schone, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that the brain’s consistency allows for more accurate and effective use of these technologies. He noted that future research could focus on refining the details of these maps, such as distinguishing between different parts of the hand and restoring complex sensations like texture and temperature.

Revisiting Previous Assumptions

Previous studies had suggested that the brain undergoes significant reorganization after amputation, but this research shows that such changes may not be as dramatic as previously believed. The team explained that earlier interpretations might have been influenced by a "winner takes all" approach, where only the most active brain regions were considered. However, the new findings indicate that the brain’s maps are more flexible and less rigid than previously thought.

By comparing their case studies with 26 individuals who had undergone upper limb amputations years ago, the researchers found similar patterns of brain activity, reinforcing the idea that these maps remain stable over time.

Future Directions

The study opens up new possibilities for surgical techniques that could reduce phantom limb pain by ensuring that nerves have a proper "home" to attach to after amputation. One participant who received a specialized nerve grafting procedure no longer experiences pain, highlighting the potential benefits of such approaches.

As research continues, the findings offer a clearer understanding of how the brain processes body-related information and provide a foundation for developing more effective treatments and technologies for amputees. The next steps involve exploring how to access finer details of the brain’s maps and restore richer sensory experiences through advanced prosthetics.