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What does mediumship tell us about the mind beyond the brain?
Marianna de Abreu Costa1, Alexander Moreira-Almeida1
1Research Centre in Spirituality and Health (NUPES), School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)
|July 8, 2025
Summary
This study reviews evidence for mediums providing accurate anomalous information. It critically analyzes conventional explanations and explores the mind-beyond-brain hypothesis, contributing to understanding consciousness and the mind-brain problem.
Area of Science:
- Parapsychology
- Cognitive Science
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Mediums claim communication with deceased or non-material entities.
- Empirical studies suggest mediums can access accurate anomalous information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting mediumship claims.
- To critically analyze conventional and non-conventional explanations for mediumistic abilities.
- To explore the implications for the mind-brain problem and consciousness.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of rigorous studies on mediumship.
- Critical analysis of explanatory hypotheses (fraud, chance, psychological factors, mind-beyond-brain).
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests mediums can provide information unattainable through conventional means.
- Conventional explanations (fraud, chance, psychological factors) are critically examined.
- The mind-beyond-brain hypothesis is explored as a non-conventional explanation.
Conclusions:
- Mediumship presents complex phenomena requiring rigorous investigation.
- The findings contribute to the debate on consciousness and the mind-brain relationship.
- Further research is needed to fully understand anomalous information acquisition in mediumship.
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