Behavioral neuroscientist Todd Murphy discussed the brain's involvement with spiritual and paranormal experiences. He has developed neural stimulation head gear based on the work of Dr. Michael Persinger and Stan Koren. The 'Shiva' model, for instance, uses magnetic signals to enhance psychic capability, he detailed.

Murphy has found that the hippocampus region of the brain is associated with psychic abilities and the "void," and that if one side of the amygdale is stimulated it can elicit positive feelings. People who have used his devices have sometimes reported mystical states, out-of-body experiences, and increased lucid dreaming.

Murphy shared his research into near-death-experiences and the afterlife, describing encounters with a beam of light that prepare a person for their "life review," which can happen in the blink of an eye. "Transcendent experiences" that convey profound information via "shapes" rather than words sometimes follow the review, as well as a meeting with a Council of 12 who advise a person on their next reincarnation. Those who reincarnate tend to have increased social skills, which serves as a form of evolutionary adaptation, he added.

Iran Update

First half-hour guest, author Alireza Jafarzadeh offered analysis on the situation in Iran. The U.S. and the United Nations should work on empowering the organized opposition movement in Iran, before the current regime develops a nuclear bomb, he suggested.

Bumper Music

Bumper music from Thursday February 22, 2007