The hypothesis behind 'The Science of Consciousness,' the book

I often get requests to give a nutshell summary of my hypothesis. The outline evolves over time toward a more straightforward, elegant language. Here it is today.

'The Science of consciousness' is a cohesive hypothesis that incorporates consciousness as part of the physical universe. There is a structural unity between elementary particles, the mind, and the cosmos; such deep, essential connection allows us to recognize the laws of nature. It also permits the recognition that those same laws govern intelligent behavior and social movement. The formation of cosmos did not end with the birth of the electron and other elementary particles, it is an ongoing evolution toward intellect, the mind. 

Humanity can benefit from this cosmic process via technological advancement. Technology's dependence has changed from the coal and steam engine to oil, computer technology, and artificial intelligence.

In the age of intellect, we can acquire as much of the limitless cosmic energy and other resources that are permitted by our technological progress. A fast progressing society is highly dependent on mental ingenuity. Increasingly, only human genius will be in short supply. This recognition should inspire us to be open to other religions, cultures, and to be generous toward the less fortunate because of their unique, individual viewpoint and intellect. 

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Copyright © 2019 by Eva Deli

Can deep brain stimulation be used for the treatment of drug addiction?

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a modulation of brain activity by implanted electrodes, used in Parkinson's disease, depression, tremor, or dystonia. In drug addictions, a reduction in the functioning of the prefrontal cortex might diminish impulse control, which gives a possibility to use the technique. In the past 15 years, animal DBS studies investigated its potential for addiction to various abused drugs, most of them have found decreased drug-seeking behavior. The same treatment in people has more challenging to implement. Especially in Europe and the U.S., the high cost of devices ($100,000) and the difficulties in recruiting patients have delayed clinical experimentation.

In the DBS treatment of opioid addiction, five of eight patients in China have stayed off heroin for at least two years, and a patient who received a device six months ago has been off drugs for the duration. To date, six of the eight clinical trials have been registered in China for this type of treatment.

In early studies, DBS resulted in a significant decrease in the severity of cocaine dependence in objective and subjective measurements. It also reduced the craving for alcohol. It improved patients’ depressive and anxious symptoms, as well as increased the subjectively perceived quality of life. In life changes, significant improvement of memory and IQ, as well as experience in depression and anxiety, were found.

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Increase your productivity by taking a break

Biological, physiological needs, circadian rhythms, and even environmental circumstances influence performance. The superior energy distribution and turnover in the brain ensure the fluid regulation of the mind. Being tired and hungry causes glitches in energy supply, which damages cognitive flexibility, causing a decline in performance. The hectic pace of our day harms the quality of our life. Nervousness and anxiety lead to impatience, sloppiness, and superficiality. Stress erodes determination, which causes negative attitudes to become preferred behavior. A feeling of pressure should be the signal for the need to slow down.

Taking a break is easy to understand, because rest refreshes the mind, increases resilience and fuels determination. As discussed earlier, optimal sleep improves intelligence, bodily function, and spiritual stability. Creating a distance from the grind of every day by spending time within a supporting circle of friends or family can spur a fresh perspective and a new momentum in our thinking. Taking time to help friends, family members, or strangers is a change of mental scenery, which improves goodwill.

A concert, gallery viewing, or walking in nature or a park, elevates the soul; reading meaningful thoughts from a book can turn into a mental vacation. Even domestic activities, such as cooking, cleaning, or organizing, can create an uplifting change of scenery. Humor is an instant confidence booster.

Rest allows you to take stock by evaluating whether you are on the right track.

START OVER  Sometimes we can overcome stress and confusion and by pulling back with respect for the difficulty of the problem. Starting over with a fresh perspective and a novel approach is a slowing down that can lead to huge breakthroughs if only you can trust in the possibility of achievement. The ability to progress in slow, careful steps can make the difference between finding a solution or failure. Starting over might be the most faithful adherence to your goal.

Doing your best creates confidence.

Picture credit: Three Boys at Lake Tanganyika by Martin Munkacsi

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Can a static universe satisfy Mach’s principle?

Mach's principle, that every mass in the universe influences every other, is an important consideration in physics that inspired Einstein to formulate General relativity. Although his final theory failed to follow it, Mach's ideas still inspire thinking. Nevertheless, Einstein's equations can be written in a form that has no time dependence. The resulting static universe is in clear contradiction with the observed reality. Page and Wootters recognized that changes of entangled systems can leave the global state of the cosmos unchanged. 

Page and Wootters’ mechanism (PaW) predicts that quantum entanglement leaves the state of the universe static. We satisfy the principle by dividing the cosmos into compact and non-compact dimensions, by insulating the wave function from space and gravity. In this scenario, entangled sister particles satisfy conservation principles independently of distance but modify the local volume. Either pressure or vacuum generates an orthogonal transformation (interaction) to restore symmetry. Over time space contracts or expands to develop curvature. The universe degenerates into poles, two-dimensional black holes, and four-dimensional white holes, connected by a smooth topology. Dimensional anisotropy turns gravity into a bipolar force. The verifiable and elegant hypothesis supersedes general relativity by satisfying Mach’s principle; it also offers a possible path for unification with quantum mechanics.

Image: Time progression of the universe evolution (NASA)

Read a new vision of reality presented in the article: Access the whole article on Vixra.

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The potential of using light therapy in the treatment of Alzheimer disease and dementia

Bright light therapy is used as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). But it has also been used to treat other conditions such as bipolar depression, chronic depressive disorder, circadian phase sleep disorders, postpartum depression, and insomnia. Because sleep disturbances are common in patients with dementia and Alzheimer disease, the treatment may be useful for these conditions too.

Bright light therapy administration in the morning that treats sleep disorder in patients with dementia might entrain the circadian rhythm to restore a healthy sleep-wake cycle. It also might reduce aggressive behavior in patients with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. The bright light triggers gamma oscillations in the visual cortex, which produces some intercellular events (such as gene expression) and improve synaptic connections. For example, LED lights flickering at specific frequencies and found that it significantly reduced beta-amyloid plaques in mouse brain. The treatment activated immune cells that destroyed these plaques.

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Emotional intelligence predicts endurance, individual success and social cooperation

Because genuine people learn and create meaning from every interaction, they can handle criticism and challenges. Just as energy flows from warmer, to colder matter, more stable (less irritable) people tend to gather wisdom and understanding from every experience. It leads to the ability to engage, relate to others and situations via trust, and to find integrated solutions. Thus, the lack of impulsivity, emotional intelligence, goes a long way toward individual success and social cooperation. Having no regrets is an open mind that dares to attract help, and the humbleness to accept it. These flexible people adapt to opportunities with ease, even in the boardroom or on the trading floor (traders with a positive attitude and trust tend to make more money). Emotional intelligence can predict the finish time of long-distance runners

In endurance tests, people who can regulate their emotions keep pushing when the going is difficult. For example, long-distance runners can press on and lead to a good race. A recent paper from three psychologists in Italy, led by Enrico Rubaltelli of the University of Padova, explored the links between emotional intelligence and half-marathon performance. The research found that aside from technique and preparation, people with higher marks on this quality ran faster races.

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How to introduce order in your life

A regular daily feeding and walking schedule can effectively rehabilitate abused and neglected dogs. Creating an order powerfully eliminates stress for people also. Children thrive on the predictability and organization in their lives. Consolidating our daily, weekly schedule into a regular, predictable routine provides a reassuring balance. Breaking up big tasks into manageable steps and framing work with a deadline increases the likelihood of completion. Organizing tasks based on importance and urgency allows you to manage your workflow effectively. 

Because the mind projects expectations for the future by averaging the events and experiences, even without a detailed plan, it constructs action steps toward clear objectives. Becoming free of regrets, pains and mental chaos permits an optimal orientation to crystalize. Know your weaknesses. Some people have difficulty starting expansive projects; others have trouble streamlining or finishing them. Rain-in your shortcomings by maintaining a strict discipline throughout the project.

FINANCES  You are the center of your universe. Honor your unique position with your financial choices. Increase your access to time by getting services, gadgets that save time spent on mindless tasks. Empty entertainments are like empty calories; they leave you spent and scattered. Focusing instead on experiences of beauty, learning, happiness, and joy improves your mental strength, patience, and persistence.

Our financial security greatly influences our attitude toward money. As starvation creates an insatiable appetite for food, a constant lack generates emotional mass, a hunger for control and difficulty to part with clutter. Penny-pinching also reinforces a mindset of scarcity. Searching for coupons, deals and garage sales generates aimlessness and lack of focus.

Confident about their welfare, the wealthy have a greater appreciation for the quality of life, by choosing vacations and entertainments. Their relaxed attitude encourages choices toward well-being and wealth, whereas the poor are locked in an endless struggle for survival.

Paying attention to small details allows big ideas to succeed. 

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