Brain study points to 'sixth sense'

[Telos]

http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/node/7036

Once again, I have the feeling that a journalist is using the word 'sixth sense' liberally in order to gain attention, but this is pretty interesting.

A new theory suggests that the anterior cingulate cortex, described by some scientists as part of the brain's "oops" center, may actually function as an early warning system -- one that works at a subconscious level to help us recognize and avoid high-risk situations.

So, this 'sixth sense' only works after you've made a mistake. Unlike a genuine sixth sense that seems like it shouldn't need to make mistakes - or should it? Did our other 5 senses evolved through the material process of learning from our parents when we were babies? Is this also why we can't remember much sensory information from when we were that young? Maybe!

This is why people like Randi are so skeptical. Someone can be a really good poker player and claim that they can read minds with a high degree of accuracy, but there might actually be a whole ton of complex memory patterns organizing to just make you feel as though you're psychic.

Be sure to read on about the implications for mental illness.

"Our results suggest how impairment of the ACC mechanisms in schizophrenia can lead to breakdowns in the early warning system, so that the brain fails to pre-empt or control inappropriate behavior," Brown said. "On the other hand, in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, the ACC might warn of an impending problem even when no problem is imminent."

"Interestingly, we also found evidence that the same neurotransmitter involved in drug addiction and Parkinson's disease, namely dopamine, seems to play a key role in training the ACC to recognize when to send the early warning signal," he added.

But this next bit I found especially interesting, and actually very familiar, because it reminds me of the feelings I have when I make bets at a craps table.

Known to be an important component of the brain's executive control system, the ACC is believed to help mediate between cold, hard, fact-based reasoning and emotional responses, such as love, fear or anticipation.

"For a long time we've been interested in how the brain figures out how to integrate cognitive information about the world with our emotions, how we feel about something," Brown said. "For many reasons, people think the ACC might be the brain structure responsible for converging these different signals. It seems to be an area that's involved in deciding what information gets prioritized in the decision-making process. It seems able to link motivational and affect information - things like goodness or badness - and to use this information to bring about changes in cognition, to alter how we think about things."

So, what do you think?

I hope that information like this makes others see the absolutely integral relationship between emotion and learning, and someday change school systems to allow students the emotional pleasure of openness and freedom with regards to their academics, no doubt providing a superior learning process.

[Telos]

More people are interested in the plant article.

Does that say something? ;)

[Van-Stolin]

I found this very interesting Telos, your topics always get me thinking about things.  I just think people haven't seen this one yet, give it time ok.

[knucklebrain1970]

Interesting read Telos. As I've always said, the only difference between one of us and a skitzophrenic is that we keep our thoughts inside our head, a skitzophrenic speaks his thoughts. Otherwise, there's not much of a difference IMO

I'm looking for ways to develop the 6th sense. I've heard that meditating on the mind chakra is of clairvoyant benefit.

Now you didn't think you were going to top that union jack post now did you? That was far far more interesting than any read about the 6th sense  

Kevin