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'Psychic sensitivity', mystical experience, head injury and brain pathology
The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|March 1, 1985
Summary
This study suggests that some psychic experiences may be linked to brain dysfunction, particularly in the right hemisphere and temporal lobe. While head injuries were more common in sensitives, a direct link to psychic sensitivity was not established.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Parapsychology
Background:
- Individuals reporting 'psychic' experiences (sensitives) differ demographically and medically from controls.
- Previous research has not clearly established neurological correlates of psychic phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential neurological and experiential differences between individuals reporting psychic experiences and matched controls.
- To explore correlations between psychic experiences, brain function, and medical history.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of 17 'sensitives' with 17 matched controls.
- Data collection included interviews (medical/family history, psychic gifts, head injuries, mystical experiences) and neuropsychological tests (WAIS, Benton Visual Retention Test, Rey-Osterreith Test).
- Assessment of dominant and non-dominant temporal lobe function.
Main Results:
- Sensitives reported more head injuries, serious illnesses, and psychiatric consultations than controls.
- 66% of sensitives showed right hemisphere/temporal lobe dysfunction, with 35% of these having poor visual memory.
- Mystical experiences and spatial vagueness regarding 'psychic helpers' correlated with non-dominant hemisphere dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests a link between certain psychic experiences and brain dysfunction, especially right hemisphere and temporal lobe.
- No clear correlation found between head injury history and the onset of psychic sensitivity.
- Mystical experiences and spatial aspects of psychic phenomena may be associated with non-dominant hemisphere function.