Re: Molecules of Emotions

On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:58:22 -0500, Dick <remdickhm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


http://www.angelfire.com/hi/TheSeer/Pert.html

"Her pioneering research on how the chemicals inside our bodies form a
dynamic information network, linking mind and body, is not only
provocative, it is revolutionary."

Bruce Lipton, Biology of Belief, may reach questionable conclusions,
but he certainly invokes fascinating research.

He goes from claiming the cell membrane is the brain of the cell and
translates signals from the environment to the manipulation of the DNA
in simple unorganized cells. He says specialized cells took up the
signaling functions as they evolved into brain cells. Now, using Dr.
Pert's work on emotions, he sees the peptides as a means for the brain
using emotions to unify body actions.

Please excuse my loose interpretations of both Lipton and Pert. It is
my best understanding. I look forward, as always, to learning more.

Molecular biology sure has become strange in the last 10 years.


There are people like Pert and Lipton who seem to actively promote
their real scientific work in ways that are rather off the mark in
terms of traditional scientific explanation. (I am trying to very
carefully to avoid saying outright that they are totally mistaken.)

There certainly is valid science behind many of the points you raise.
In many ways, the cell membrane serves as an organizing center for a
great deal of cellular integration, linking receptors that can detect
signals about the cellular environment to membrane-bound proteins that
transfer the "signal" to a so-called "second-messenger" that can then
carry the information to the cell interior. This allows the cell to
respond to the environment and allows cells to communicate with and to
control each other. Some of these signaling systems have downstream
components that influence gene expression. All this is standard cell
physiology. Modern neurobiology is closely tied to this type of
event and the neuron, indeed, is a cell that has specialized to make
heavy use of this signaling machinery. So Lipton has a lot of valid
science behind these statements, although calling the plasma membrane
the "brain" of the cell is rather a big stretch.

Similarly, Pert's work on exactly these types of receptors in neuron
membranes is closely related to emotion, as it is to sensation and
movement and behavior of all kinds. The neurotransmitters and
membrane receptors and cell signaling systems underlie everything that
neurons (and brains) do and emotion is one aspect of that. There are
legitimate connections between emotions and feelings and, even,
consciousness, as explored by people like Damasio (as in "The Feeling
of What Happens"). All of this is good, sound, science.

I have a serious problem, though, with people who claim that the
signaling molecules themselves, the neuropeptides and the biogenic
amines like dopamine and serotonin are themselves the emotions
("Molecules of Emotion"). A more proper interpretation is to
considering emotion to consist of the nerve activity in the specific
neurons and neuronal pathways that happen to use these chemicals as
signals. I have a much more serious problem with people who then use
these ideas to promote "oneness with the universe" type of claptrap as
does the 'The Seer' web site cited above ("The massed banks of stars
in the night sky whisper about other universes of thought and space
and time and existence. ")

Far too much 'new age' thinking uses these biological facts as
justification for pseudo-science. Sadly, both Pert and Lipton seem to
play on exactly these ties for some purpose or at least to allow their
ideas to be used to promulgate such nonsense.

Molecular biology has, indeed, come a long way in the last few decades
but so have pseudoscientific claptrap and mystical holistic theories.








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