Michael Ferguson π§ ππ
@neuromichael
Instructor in Neurology @HarvardMed | Neurospirituality pioneer | Musician (check out my new album "The Luminous Brain" on Spotify)
(1/12) Our brain network study of religious fundamentalism is out in PNAS. We identified brain networks associated with religious fundamentalism and found shared neuroanatomy with lesions linked to confabulation and criminal behavior: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnβ¦
10 years ago today I defended my dissertation on cortical simulations and neural signatures of fluid intelligence. 10 years later, I find myself in the brainstem mapping spiritual intelligence. In 10 more years, I expect to find myself in the heart. π§ ποΈπ«
Here's hoping this work may lead to relief for people who suffer chronic pain.
Alert!!!! Anybody out there?!?! βAn Action Networks Model for Painβ We propose a new model for chronic pain β and highlight two functionally connected cortical networks that could revolutionize how we treat it. π thread below 𧡠osf.io/preprints/ps...
What is the influence of long-term meditation on attention? How might attentional changes relate to the emergence of advanced meditative states and traits? In our new preprinted review, βAttention and Meditative Development: A Review and Synthesis of Long-Term Meditators andβ¦
Got to invest the day with Simran Singh collaborating on resilience studies in high conflict zones. I am hopeful that this work will be scientifically and spiritually fruitful.
Providing compassion meditation guidance in tandem with KAP is a promising, new frontier in my work. It's one step closer to evidence-based spiritual therapeutics.
Neuron How the brain shifts between external and internal attention cell.com/neuron/fulltexβ¦
Evelyn Underhill's definition of mysticism is primo: the art of union with Reality. Here's my hot list of reads for people awakening to the fact that mysticism and reason are compatible.
Iβm fortunate to be learning Kundalini Yoga from Yuliya, a yogi in Ukraine. She reports that her practice contributes to resilience living in a war zone. Stay tuned to learn about the "Spirituality During War" research initiative the Neurospirituality Lab is preparing to launch.
Very cool paper. βLonger wavelengths in sunlight pass through the human body and have a systemic impact which improves visionβ I have known the senior author Glen Jeffery since the mid 90s and heβs always done very interesting work. Another beauty here. nature.com/articles/s4159β¦
If the lifespan extending effects of psilocybin in cells and mice replicate, thereβs something very meaningful happening biologically that deserves attention nature.com/articles/s4151β¦
Sporran--the original fannypack. #CelticSoul π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ ΏπβοΈ
Viewpoint describes @NoahSPhilipMDβs experiences teaching transcranial magnetic stimulation in Ukraine during the war. ja.ma/4kOvg1G @NoahSPhilipMD
It was sacred to join yogis living in war-torn Ukraine for their spiritual practice today. I am humbled that they want me to study the impacts of spirituality in the context of war. Early donors are welcome to support this research by giving here: bwhgiving.org/ferguson πποΈ
10 years ago today, the Ferguson v. JONAH case established legal precedent that conversion therapy is fraud. I was honored to be the named plaintiff in this first-of-its-kind lawsuit. The jury ruling was unanimous. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_β¦
I'm so grateful to the Ukrainian yogis letting me learn from their strength and spiritual practice amid war. More soon from me on this new line of work. Tax-deductible gifts to support this research may be given here: bwhgiving.org/ferguson ποΈπ
Was Joseph Smith (founder of Mormonism) a mystic? I argue yes: Joseph Smith was as bona fide a mystic as there is. In fact, IMO he is THE American mystic. Now, is mysticism hogwash? This is a different question. π Stay tuned for more on that debate. wayfaremagazine.org/p/american-mysβ¦
Family reunion time! I grew up Mormon and have a complicated relationship with the religion of my youth. But one of the things I strongly value from Mormonism is the ethos of family history and unity. (It is one of the reasons why there is so much pain in Mormonism when familyβ¦
Presenting my new album, "The Luminous Brain." Musical styles spanning folk, pop, and new age. Heavily influenced by the intersection of science and spirituality. Let there be beauty and light! open.spotify.com/album/3dHn9VDiβ¦
My album "The Luminous Brain" comes out this Friday on the summer solstice. 12 tracks which will serve as the musical outline for the 12-chapter book by the same name. Album pre-save now available through Spotify. Let there be light! distrokid.com/hyperfollow/miβ¦
