Brain Science: "Neuroplasticity." Yes you can change your brain.

Recently I attended a powerful teleseminar hosted by the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine [link], featuring the work of psychiatrist Jeffrey Schwartz, M.D. [link]



Dr. Schwartz is a researcher and clinician at the UCLA School of Medicine who has written a landmark book on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): "Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." His research has documented changes in brain function after the patient has learned how to separate out their "thinking about their thoughts." Once a person understands that they have a brain that experiences thoughts then they can look at the thoughts and decide whether to act on them or not. Eventually, the brain becomes able to judge and ignore thoughts such as "I need to wash my hands" (after the hands are in fact clean).

Brain imaging techniques have shown that the brain electrical activity patterns actually change after a period (sometimes several days, and often after some weeks or months). Dr. Schwartz spoke enthusiastically about the potential benefits that will occur when the western medical scientific community can see that the brain can be changed by mentally processing thoughts. His website has many articles, books referenced, and audio discussions of different topics about brain change, or "Neuroplasticity."

A very important factor that I have observed in the mental health field over the past decades is the deep concern that many therapists, and patients too, have about the philosophy behind the treatments that are being delivered. Dr. Schwartz spoke emphatically and with detail about the need to use scientific methods to show that the person's thinking can change the function of the brain. He also talked about the ways that Christians and Jewish people have become enthusiastic about improving the function of the brain when they understand that they have a Higher Power helping them take control of their own thoughts and their brain will benefit.

After that teleconference the moderator invited the therapists who were listening to visit the website Comment Board. I did this and added my comments to the others who represented a diversity of scientific training and a diversity of Christian, Jewish, Agnostic, Atheist viewpoints. My comments are below this section.* Religious beliefs and worldview are perhaps the most important aspect of a human being's mental life and it is an area that therapists are deeply aware of and treat with respect.

The topic of brain Neuroplasticity is one of the most important discoveries in recent years in the mental health field. I invite you all to consider the benefits of mental focus on the function of the brain and the resulting changes in emotions that can develop.

We are in a very encouraging time in human healthcare history when science is helping us to explore the rich inheritance that is ours as our human birthright. I am very glad to be here.

Wishing you full awareness of your vibrant health. -- Dr. Wilson [Clinical Site]
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*Text from my comments [see Comment Board]

Dr. Schwartz's presentation was excellent; he spoke with knowledge and experience on some of the key issues relevant to Behavioral Medicine today. I began studies years ago to become a medical doctor at the University of Michigan School and took a leave of absence and explored alternative medicine, including study at Bastyr University for my doctorate in naturopathic medicine and MS Acupuncture.

I have a deep appreciation for the powerful impact of religious affiliation in individual mental/physical health. Listening to Dr. Schwartz brought almost a physical feeling of soothing cleansing as he described his experience learning how to describe the focus technique to Christian and Jewish people. He helped me feel much less uncomfortable about the possible stress that Christians and others might feel when being told about "Mindfulness", which has deep ties to Buddhist philosophy.

These are important days for physical/mental medicine because of the work being done with the Autonomic Nervous System and its expansion into the Triune ANS (the newest being the Social Engagement system, as setting us apart from animals) as Stephen Porges, Ph.D., [link] describes.

I have been preparing to do some research on the ANS using the AcuGraph digital meridian imaging which has correlations to emotions related to organ system status. I have links to the information of that company on my website: [AcuGraph digital meridian imaging]. It is my fervent hope that the acupuncture meridian energy changes that have been seen to change and follow emotional states can be tracked by AcuGraph and correlated with the clinical reports of therapists counsling the clients tested.

I appreciated Dr. Schwartz's caveat about the weakness of the claim, "it is quantum physics"; I will remember that when I deal with various treatments (for physical as well as mental conditions) that have been described as being based on "quantum physics." We need to gather as much scientifically plausible information as possible, and I am looking forward to reading his website and other writings of Dr. Schwartz.

Thanks so much for introducing him to us; he gave us a lot to think about and re-think about. In the end, your NICABM community of dynamic individuals around the globe is evidence that there is something much greater than ourselves that engenders the creative lives we are living. Such a marvelous diversity.

It was beyond words how rich his presentation was. Thank you once again.