Biochemical Impact - And a Brave New World

Having grown up in 1930's and 40's my life was fairly well ordered and exempt from constant change. As an adult living in the U.S., during the Vietnam War and the 'hippie counter culture', I soon became aware that profound changes were taking place. And, like many, I found my own defined and secure little way of being in the world changing.

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I could not but help being interested in the Hippie Subculture that emerged. I admit I was curious about psychedelic music, the sexual revolution, the use of drugs and even altered states of consciousness. But in my mind these so called free expressions of self seemed to lead ultimately to both physical and spiritual harm. Nevertheless, the basic idea that the inner-self should be expressed in order to reach one's true potential picked my interest. I understood this notion to be a call to take full  responsibility for my own life realizing, that in the end, I am the "true author" of my own existence. Forget the blame game! I also recognize, especially in the world today, not many enjoy the freedom we Canadians have to explore and develop our own wonderful potential.

Aldous Huxley, in his book "Brave New World", spoke about the extraordinary abilities that are latent in all of us. Indeed, that notion was one of the basic ideas inspiring what became known as the 'Human Potential Movement'. While teaching in a college in Toronto I had the opportunity to take twenty of my students to visit, among other famous institutions in California, the Esalen Institute at Big Sur. Although the origins of the institute were somewhat influenced by the Hippie Movement (a graffiti artist once described it as, " Jive shit for rich white folk.") many well known professionals were drawn there to the workshops. Men and women like Rollo May, Abraham Maslow, Fritz Perls, Carl Rogers, Ida Rolf and B.F. Skinner...to name a few.

Even though the sub-culture attracted mostly the young, it was almost impossible not to have been interested in what was happening and how so many of our 'fixed values' were being challenged. 

Although there was lots of talk about the mind-body relationship, there is now a resurgence of that same interest today. The new technologies are transforming and, will continue to transform, how we understand the relationship between body and mind.

One exciting example is in the field of emotional biochemistry. We all know there are physiological phenomena associated with our emotions. We blush when we are embarrassed, get goose bumps when afraid, experience a faster heart rate when excited and even butterflies in our stomach. Now it is possible to link these experiences to chemicals in the body. For example: the experts can identify chemicals, such dopamine or endorphins, that contribute to our positive feelings. Thanks to imaging technology they can SEE how our thoughts and emotions are translated into chemical expressions.

As the wonderful relationship between body and mind becomes clearer, individuals will have a better understanding of what is good for us and what is bad for us. We know already that our feelings and our thoughts can make us sick or well in many different ways, and that it's not all in our head!

Aldous Huxley is no longer with us, but if he were, he would be writing a new version of his Brave New World.

And that's Dicks View of the World this Week

Did you Know?

That the U.S. is now the biggest producer of oil and natural gas in the world. Apparently it is bigger than Saudi Arabia or Russia. The times, they are a changing.