Body memory
Encyclopedia
Body memory is a hypothesis
that the body itself is capable of storing memories, as opposed to only the brain. This is used to explain having memories for events where the brain was not in a position to store memories and is sometimes a catalyst for repressed memories recovery. These memories are often characterised with phantom pain in a part or parts of the body – the body appearing to remember the past trauma. The idea of body memory is a belief frequently associated with the idea of repressed memories, in which memories of incest or sexual abuse can be retained and recovered through physical sensations. This is considered pseudoscientific
as there is no known means by which tissues other than the brain are capable of storing memories.
have intrinsic nervous systems (ICNS); small nervous networks to control themselves.
– relating to the idea of "Survivor Psychology", stated that:
Smith makes her position clear when she goes on to say:
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. The term derives from the Greek, ὑποτιθέναι – hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". For a hypothesis to be put forward as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it...
that the body itself is capable of storing memories, as opposed to only the brain. This is used to explain having memories for events where the brain was not in a position to store memories and is sometimes a catalyst for repressed memories recovery. These memories are often characterised with phantom pain in a part or parts of the body – the body appearing to remember the past trauma. The idea of body memory is a belief frequently associated with the idea of repressed memories, in which memories of incest or sexual abuse can be retained and recovered through physical sensations. This is considered pseudoscientific
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
as there is no known means by which tissues other than the brain are capable of storing memories.
Proposed mechanism, hypothesis
Recent research shows that organs like the heartHeart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
have intrinsic nervous systems (ICNS); small nervous networks to control themselves.
Cellular memory
Cellular memory is an additional hypothesis that memories can be stored outside the brain. However, unlike body memory, the cellular memory hypothesis states that these memories are stored in all the cells of human bodies, not in the bodies’ organs. The idea that non-brain tissues can have memories is also believed by some individuals who have received organ transplants, though this is also considered impossible.Skepticism
In 1993, a psychologist Susan E. Smith, in a paper – which was first presented at a False Memory Syndrome ConferenceAcademic conference
An academic conference or symposium is a conference for researchers to present and discuss their work. Together with academic or scientific journals, conferences provide an important channel for exchange of information between researchers.-Overview:Conferences are usually composed of various...
– relating to the idea of "Survivor Psychology", stated that:
"body memories are thought to literally be emotional, kinesthetic, or chemical recordings stored at the cellular level and retrievable by returning to or recreating the chemical, emotional. or kinesthetic conditions under which the memory recordings are filed. She wrote in the abstract of the paper that "one of the most commonly used theories to support the ideology of repressed memories or incest and sexual abuse amnesia is body memories."
Smith makes her position clear when she goes on to say:
"The belief in these pseudoscientific concepts appears to be related to scientific illiteracy, gullibility, and a lack of critical thinking skills and reasoning abilities in both the mental health community and in society at large"
In Film and TV
- The Hands of Orlac – an early film with this motif
- The Eye (2008)The Eye (2008 film)The Eye is a 2008 supernatural horror film starring Jessica Alba. It is a remake of the Pang Brothers' 2002 film of the same name.-Plot:Sydney Wells is a successful classical violinist who has been blind since the age of five. Fifteen years later, Sydney undergoes a cornea transplant, which causes...
& (2002) filmThe Eye (2002 film)The Eye, also known as Seeing Ghosts, is a 2002 horror film directed by the Pang brothers. The film spawned two sequels by the Pang brothers, The Eye 2 and The Eye 10...
s - A Stranger's HeartA Stranger's HeartA Stranger's Heart is a Hallmark Channel made-for-TV movie that premiered on May 5, 2007.-Plot summary:Callie , a workaholic magazine editor who prides herself on having no emotional attachments in her life, changes practically overnight when she undergoes a life-saving heart transplant operation...
- Summer ScentSummer ScentSummer Scent is a 20-episode TV drama series made in 2003. It is the third installment of the four part Endless Love drama series directed by Yoon Seok-Ho, produced by South Korean TV Network KBS.- Storyline :...
External links
- Cellular memory hints at the origins of intelligence, NatureNature (journal)Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
, dated 23 January 2008