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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 12, No. 4
Publication Date: August 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/aivp.124.17090.
Gurevitz, M., & Dagan, R. (2024). Telepathic Proficiency - A Factual Threat on Humanity. European Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol - 12(4). 85-86.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Telepathic Proficiency - A Factual Threat on Humanity
Michael Gurevitz
Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Ecology
George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University
Ramat Aviv 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
Roee Dagan
Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Ecology
George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University
Ramat Aviv 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
The molecular mechanism underlying human cognition is still a ‘black box’ despite intense
brain research. The ~1.4 kg brain tissue contains billions of nerve cells (neurons) connected
via synaptic junctions that transport electrical and chemical signals toward target regions,
while its functioning is associated with activation or inactivation of variable neuronal
networks, demonstrating high plasticity. In recent years, imaging techniques enabling
visualization of neurons and synapses have been developed, monitoring brain centers that
‘light up’ by external stimuli (e.g., ref 1). Moreover, various non-invasive techniques for real
time monitoring of spatio-temporal (position and time) brain activity upon external stimuli
(e.g., sensory, cognitive, motor, regulatory) have been developed {e.g.,
electroencephalography (EEG), position emission tomography (PET), near infrared
spectroscopy (NIRS), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI) (e.g., ref. 2)}, but despite this impressive repertoire, the processing
mechanisms by which activation of certain neuronal networks constitute our consciousness,
soul, or abstractive competence (thinking, spiritual perception, inventive productivity, build- up of moral principles, emotions, memories) remain unclear. These open questions are
especially puzzling in light of the central role of the brain in controlling our physical and
mental abilities and successful mapping of activated structural regions involved in various
functions, as well as in light of the enormous progress in other scientific fields such as
exploration of marvels in our planet (structure and function of the earth and deep sea, or the
protecting atmospheric layers covering our planet, and the enormous variety of life forms);
or, the great advances in medicine and prolongation of life expectancy; or, the new findings
about deep space and the universe, and the amazing aspirations of reaching to the stars.
However, despite the scientific limitations and lack of knowledge, manipulations of human
cognition by external stimuli and chemicals have already been demonstrated. For example,
psychedelic compounds (subclass of hallucinogenic drugs) were shown to trigger non- ordinary mental states and expand human consciousness. Indeed, Ayahuaska, a mixture
produced from specific plants in South and Central America, is used by Shamans to raise their
consciousness above ordinary levels that seemingly improve their spiritual abilities of curing
and predicting some futuristic events. Likewise, was probably the prophetic ability of Pythia,
the sacred Greek oracle (in the 6th century BC), when her consciousness was raised to higher
levels likely by inhaling a gaseous mixture of methane and carbon dioxide stemming from
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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 12, Issue 4, August-2024
underneath her seat in the Apollo temple in Delphi. The putative effects of such psychedelics
are nicely depicted in the fiction book by F. Herbert, ‘Dune’, where use of ‘Melange’, an
imaginery psychedelic drug, prolongs life, increases power, raises the level of consciousness
and even the ability to predict the future. These examples suggest, although with a large grain
of salt, that human consciousness and overall cogninive abilities can be manipulated to reach
unprecedented levels when preconditioned. Notably, brain research and ways to expand
spiritual abilities has become an acceptable scientific field (Parapsychology). Among a variety
of parapsychological branches, Telepathy (from ancient Greek: (têle) 'distant', and (páthos)
feeling), the ability to communicate thoughts or feelings without using regular senses, or
speech, sight, writing, and hearing, has attracted increasing attention. While the accumulated
scientific literature and reader-questions about telepathy reveals enormous interest, proven
telepathic experience is scarce and seems to be used mostly by mentalists (e.g., L. Suchard, U.
Geller, D. Brown), who likely employed various tricks in their shows. From a scientific
viewpoint, Parapsychology is considered a pseudoscience, and so despite many attempts to
demonstrate extrasensory perception or mental telepathy, no scientific evidence for such
power has been approved thus far. Therefore, the United States National Research Council has
concluded that no scientific evidence for such phenomena exists (ref. 3). Still, the amazing
high neuroplasticity of the brain and its ability to reconfigure new neuronal links, as well as to
raise human consciousness to higher levels, suggests that brain research is still in its primary
stages, waiting for further development and new tools for studying its extraordinary abilities.
Whether the scientific world is on track of developing telepathic capabilities is an open
question. While optimistic scientists envision advantageous options like fast communication,
increased analytic ability, collective rise in consciousness exceeding individual capabilities,
means of overcoming language barriers and ambiguity, or even improved communication
between humans and their beloved animals or with aliens, realistic researchers point to risks
that can destroy the life frame of human societies and eradicate privacy and individualism.
Many feelings and emotions should better remain concealed (e.g., egocentric aspirations,
predisposed urges, cruel intentions, feelings of envy and contempt, evil sexual drives), to
avoid unnecessary stress, health problems, ruthless and cruel interactions and clashes, or
even ‘big-eye’ control over citizens. Overall it seems that the consequences of developing
telepathic abilities may threaten the social life of humanity and so its development better be
restricted.
References
1. Castellanos FX & Proal E (2012) Large-Scale Brain Systems in ADHD: Beyond the Prefrontal-Striatal Model.
Trends Cogn Sci 16(1), 17-26.
2. Banaschewski T & Brandeis T (2007) Annotation: What electrical brain activity tells us about brain function
that other techniques cannot tell us - a child psychiatric perspective. J Child Psychol Psychiat 48(5), 415-435.
3. Telepathy (2024) Wikipedia.