Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 17:10:27 +0200
From: "Gatherer, D. (Derek)" <D.Gatherer@organon.nhe.akzonobel.nl>
Subject: RE: Psychedelics and memes
To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Chris:
In generaal, we are dealing with two neurology-sourced 'threads' that seem
to dictate the operations of 'in here'. These threads are woven together to
create 'patterns' of behaviour that will come in various forms showing
biases to one thread or the other. These threads show sensitivity to
different biochemistry.
The threads are:
A. Object biased (Whole or parts). Self-contained. Fundamentalist. Stresses
independence. Context insensitive due to the self-containment. Archetypal.
B. Relationships bias (Static or Dynamic). 'Others'-contained. Relativist.
Stresses dependencies. Context sensitive. Typal.
You can trace these down to the neuron with A being more 'axonic' in
behaviour, jump-like, pulses. B is being more 'dendritic' in behaviour,
continuum bias and so all is linked. B is highly feedback sensitive and so
exagerates/plays-down a state by utilising the feedback.
Derek:
I don't quite follow here. Is the above intended as a metaphor or are you
seriously proposing that axons and dendrites are actual differentially
involved in the production of the threads? If it's only a metaphor, then it
might be best to drop it and find another one, as neurologists are only
going to get confused by use of the terms axons and dendrites in this way.
Chris:
We can see these biases expressed in the manner in which the hemispheres of
the brain function with the left being jump-like, object oriented, waypoint
mappings. Here is the 'source' of 'whole' numbers, the excluded middle
(because of the jumps) and perhaps even the concept of quantum leaps!
This object emphasis favours SELF over OTHERS in that OTHERS introduces
relationships and here we get into right-hemisphere characteristics of
relationships, the 'space inbetween' objects and so the ability to
transform, to make something seemingly out of nothing -- the source of
illusion more than delusion.
Derek:
Yes, I see the allusion to Sperry, but I don't quite follow how differential
hemispheric activity relates to the threads. For instance, are you
proposing that thread B is left-hemispheric??
Chris:
Regarding Paranoia, it seems to be more linked to attention system problems
where it is 'stuck' in wide-angle mode (diffuse). Mania is the 'opposite'
where the attention system is 'stuck' in narrow-angle mode (intense). There
is a Cingulate Cortex emphasis here with the prime dimension being that or
anterior/posterior.
Derek:
Why is anterior/posterior so important in the cingulate gyrus?
Chris:
Serotonin has an operational dimension:
Uptake too quick = depression.
Uptake too slow = "God in the head Syndrome". Note that 'you' are not 'god'
but you experience 'it'/'him'/'her' due to the biochemisty bias.
Derek:
Surely this is an oversimplification. SSRIs are used for a variety of
conditions, from depression through to OCD. What is your source of
information concerning serotonin uptake speed?
Chris:
Hallucinogens favour these pathways.
Derek:
Serotoninergic receptor non-specific blockers do seem to also block some of
the effects of LSD, but I don't know if you can read too much into that....
Chris:
Another dimension is that with acetocholine (spell?). Nicotine has an
interesting influence here.
Derek:
Yes, one class of acetylcholinergic receptors bind nicotine, but they're the
class which is involved in most voluntary muscle movements.
Chris:
That would make sense if we see Schizophrenia as a thread bias either within
the thread (too quick/slow pickup) or across threads where imbalance is
controlled by introducing an extreme in the other thread.
Drugs these days are more particularised and so make management easier..
Derek:
Most of the current schizophrenia treatments act at dopamine receptors.
I'm not sure I'm following your argument entirely. I worry that you are
taking Sperry's differential hemispheric activity ideas and seeking to
derive an explanation of schizophrenia from them.... This might be a better
idea than I am giving it credit for, but I don't follow all the steps along
the way, especially the bit about serotonin reuptake. I'm also
uncomfortable with your idea that mania is somehow the opposite of paranoia
(perhaps I misinterpret you in this???)
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