Sophrology and neuroscience: finally scientific proof of effectiveness?

In addition, these researchers have succeeded in reversing the emotional value of certain specific memories, by manipulating the cells of affected areas using a technique, optogenetics *, which uses light to control neuronal activity (neurons sensitive to light ).

*The optogenetics helps control brain cells by inserting light-sensitive molecules into neurons. It becomes possible to activate or deactivate (much like a switch) these neurons by sending them light of different colors. Some colors activate sensory information responsible for learning, another activates the reward system, etc.

” In the future, we will be able to develop different methods to help people remember good memories more than bad ones. “Said Susumu Tonegawa, professor of biology and neuroscience at MIT, in August 2014.

A kind of positive memory discrimination, in a way.

Memories are made up of different elements, contextual and emotional, which are stored in different places in the brain. Contextual elements (such as the place and date of the memory, etc.) are thus stored in the hippocampus, while the emotion associated with this memory is stored in the amygdala. Until now, we knew that it was possible to modify and reprogram the affect linked to a memory (by techniques used in particular in psychotherapy and sophrology), without knowing or locating precisely the neural circuits at work. .

Thanks to the experiments (on animals) carried out during this study, by identifying the hippocampal cells which are activated during memory formation thanks to a light-sensitive protein, the researchers were able to identify the neural network responsible for ” coding ”of a specific memory. For the moment, the experiments have been carried out on animals of all kinds: earthworms, flies, mice and primates.

In 213, Professor Tonegawa’s team used this technique to implant a false memory in the memory of laboratory mice, and thus demonstrated that it was possible toinfluence the emotional behavior of mice by activating a negative or positive imprint associated with a past memory unrelated to the actual situation experienced during the experience, even going so far as to reverse the emotional responses for a given situation.
A research group has also identified and succeeded in activating the neurons responsible for aggressiveness in mice, so as to make them attack anything and everything, without discrimination.
A team from Columbia University has also shown that it is possible to intervene on the neurons responsible for the memory of smell: by activating these neurons, we modify the “negative” or “positive” perception of a odour.

This is reminiscent of the techniques of serial correction and sensory substitution well known to sophrologists!

Currently, a team is looking to see if reactivation of pleasant memories can affect depression, all in the hope of identifying new “targets” for antidepressant drugs, but also to develop new psychiatric treatments.

Brain manipulations: progress or danger?

Once again, the scientific advances of the past 15 years, whether nanotechnology, genetics, biometrics, robotics or neuroscience, pose an ethical question more than ever. For each of them, there may be some amazing and promising applications, but for each of them also, disturbing abuses (permanent coping, invasion of privacy, manipulation, eugenics, health risks …).
At the end of this brain experiment, are we in the process of developing “drugs” or Chemical Weapons which will allow us to manipulate our emotions?
Or will this research allow us, sophrologists, to prove that Professor Alfonso Caycédo was right when he announced his “principle of positive action”, and encourage everyone to develop their capacities for self-healing?

For my part, in the treatment of post-traumatic stress and depression (excluding serious psychopathology), if the drug treatment is necessary at first to break the hellish spiral and avoid the passage to the act, I would quickly tend to favor the holistic approach to the person offered by sophrology.
I would also like to emphasize the preventive role of sophrological training. Empower the person rather than letting them surrender with their eyes closed to the effects of chemistry, is to give him the opportunity to remain the author of his life, and this probably stimulates and stimulates much more his capacities of self-healing, autonomy and self-confidence, essential in the reconstruction of the subject.

For more information, read the M.I.T’s English publication on http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/brain-circuit-links-emotion-memory-0827 and the interview of research director Dr. Ed Bodyen on Forbes.com.

Author: Caroline GORMAND, Sophrologue