Things that should be accepted as scientific but aren’t
Through analysis of a wide range of research papers examining the phenomenon, the researchers conclude that intuition is the brain drawing on past experiences and external cues to make a decision ? but one that happens so fast the reaction is at a non-conscious level. All we?re aware of is a general feeling that something is right or wrong.
?People usually experience true intuition when they are under severe time pressure or in a situation of information overload or acute danger, where conscious analysis of the situation may be difficult or impossible,? says Prof Hodgkinson.
He cites the recorded case of a Formula One driver who braked sharply when nearing a hairpin bend without knowing why ? and as a result avoided hitting a pile-up of cars on the track ahead, undoubtedly saving his life.
?The driver couldn?t explain why he felt he should stop, but the urge was much stronger than his desire to win the race,? explains Professor Hodgkinson. ?The driver underwent forensic analysis by psychologists afterwards, where he was shown a video to mentally relive the event. In hindsight he realised that the crowd, which would have normally been cheering him on, wasn?t looking at him coming up to the bend but was looking the other way in a static, frozen way. That was the cue. He didn?t consciously process this, but he knew something was wrong and stopped in time.?
In a double-blind study:
Twenty-three patients with rheumatoid arthritis on orthodox first-line anti-inflammatory treatment plus homeopathy were compared with a similar group of twenty-three patients on orthodox first-line treatment plus an inert preparation. There was a significant improvement in subjective pain, articular index, stiffness and grip strength in those patients receiving homoeopathic remedies whereas there was no significant change in the patients who received placebo. Two physicians were involved in prescribing for the patients and there were no significant differences in the results which they obtained. No side effects were observed with the homoeopathic remedies.
Your body responds to the way you think, feel and act. This is often called the ?mind/body connection.? When you are stressed, anxious or upset, your body tries to tell you that something isn?t right. For example, high blood pressure or a stomach ulcer might develop after a particularly stressful event, such as the death of a loved one. The following may be physical signs that your emotional health is out of balance:
- Back pain
- Change in appetite
- Chest pain
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Extreme tiredness
- General aches and pains
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Lightheadedness
- Palpitations (the feeling that your heart is racing)
- Sexual problems
- Shortness of breath
- Stiff neck
- Sweating
- Upset stomach
- Weight gain or loss
Poor emotional health can weaken your body’s immune system, making you more likely to get colds and other infections during emotionally difficult times. Also, when you are feeling stressed, anxious or upset, you may not take care of your health as well as you should. You may not feel like exercising, eating nutritious foods or taking medicine that your doctor prescribes. Abuse of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs may also be a sign of poor emotional health.
Shoe Addiction
Okay, you got me: a shoe addiction isn’t scientific. Promise you won’t tell my boyfriend.
What else do you think belongs in this category?
