The Heart Has Its Own “Brain” and Consciousness

Many believe that conscious awareness originates in the brain alone. Recent scientific research suggests that consciousness actually emerges from the brain and body acting together. A growing body of evidence suggests that the heart plays a particularly significant role in this process.

Far more than a simple pump, as was once believed, the heart is now recognized by scientists as a highly complex system with its own functional “brain.”

Research in the new discipline of neurocardiology shows that the heart is a sensory organ and a sophisticated center for receiving and processing information. The nervous system within the heart (or “heart brain”) enables it to learn, remember, and make functional decisions independent of the brain’s cerebral cortex. Moreover, numerous experiments have demonstrated that the signals the heart continuously sends to the brain influence the function of higher brain centers involved in perception, cognition, and emotional processing.

In addition to the extensive neural communication network linking the heart with the brain and body, the heart also communicates information to the brain and throughout the body via electromagnetic field interactions. The heart generates the body’s most powerful and most extensive rhythmic electromagnetic field. Compared to the electromagnetic field produced by the brain, the electrical component of the heart’s field is about 60 times greater in amplitude, and permeates every cell in the body. The magnetic component is approximately 5000 times stronger than the brain’s magnetic field and can be detected several feet away from the body with sensitive magnetometers.

The heart generates a continuous series of electromagnetic pulses in which the time interval between each beat varies in a dynamic and complex manner. The heart’s ever-present rhythmic field has a powerful influence on processes throughout the body. We have demonstrated, for example, that brain rhythms naturally synchronize to the heart’s rhythmic activity, and also that during sustained feelings of love or appreciation, the blood pressure and respiratory rhythms, among other oscillatory systems, entrain to the heart’s rhythm.

We propose that the heart’s field acts as a carrier wave for information that provides a global synchronizing signal for the entire body. Specifically, we suggest that as pulsing waves of energy radiate out from the heart, they interact with organs and other structures. The waves encode or record the features and dynamic activity of these structures in patterns of energy waveforms that are distributed throughout the body. In this way, the encoded information acts to in-form (literally, give shape to) the activity of all bodily functions—to coordinate and synchronize processes in the body as a whole. This perspective requires an energetic concept of information, in which patterns of organization are enfolded into waves of energy of system activity distributed throughout the system as a whole.

Basic research at the Institute of HeartMath shows that information pertaining to a person’s emotional state is also communicated throughout the body via the heart’s electromagnetic field. The rhythmic beating patterns of the heart change significantly as we experience different emotions. Negative emotions, such as anger or frustration, are associated with an erratic, disordered, incoherent pattern in the heart’s rhythms. In contrast, positive emotions, such as love or appreciation, are associated with a smooth, ordered, coherent pattern in the heart’s rhythmic activity. In turn, these changes in the heart’s beating patterns create corresponding changes in the structure of the electromagnetic field radiated by the heart, measurable by a technique called spectral analysis.

More specifically, we have demonstrated that sustained positive emotions appear to give rise to a distinct mode of functioning, which we call psychophysiological coherence. During this mode, heart rhythms exhibit a sine wave-like pattern and the heart’s electromagnetic field becomes correspondingly more organized.

At the physiological level, this mode is characterized by increased efficiency and harmony in the activity and interactions of the body’s systems. [1]

Psychologically, this mode is linked with a notable reduction in internal mental dialogue, reduced perceptions of stress, increased emotional balance, and enhanced mental clarity, intuitive discernment, and cognitive performance.

In sum, our research suggests that psychophysiological coherence is important in enhancing consciousness—both for the body’s sensory awareness of the information required to execute and coordinate physiological function, and also to optimize emotional stability, mental function, and intentional action. Furthermore, as we see next, there is experimental evidence that psychophysiological coherence may increase our awareness of and sensitivity to others around us. The Institute of HeartMath has created practical technologies and tools that all people can use to increase coherence. Heart Field Interactions Between Individuals

Most people think of social communication solely in terms of overt signals expressed through language, voice qualities, gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. However, there is now evidence that a subtle yet influential electromagnetic or “energetic” communication system operates just below our conscious awareness. Energetic interactions likely contribute to the “magnetic” attractions or repulsions that occur between individuals, and also affect social exchanges and relationships. Moreover, it appears that the heart’s field plays an important role in communicating physiological, psychological, and social information between individuals.

Experiments conducted at the Institute of HeartMath have found remarkable evidence that the heart’s electromagnetic field can transmit information between people. We have been able to measure an exchange of heart energy between individuals up to 5 feet apart. We have also found that one person’s brain waves can actually synchronize to another person’s heart. Furthermore, when an individual is generating a coherent heart rhythm, synchronization between that person’s brain waves and another person’s heartbeat is more likely to occur. These findings have intriguing implications, suggesting that individuals in a psychophysiologically coherent state become more aware of the information encoded in the heart fields of those around them.

My neighbors had these two golden labs and I dog-sat for them.

The reason was, they were going camping for 6-7 days, and their dogs were normally on my porch anyways, what can I say, dogs luv me!

On the very last day, the day my neighbors were due home, the older one left my porch early in the morning. It was quite hot that day, and I was worried if he had any water, so I packed up a gallon of cold water, and hiked over to their house, about 1/4 mile away.

He was happy to see me, and very happy about the water, but refused to follow me back. He just kept pacing the driveway.

This was about one in the afternoon. Neighbors arrived home about ten PM that night.

That dog knew they were coming home. No other explanation makes sense. If it walks like a duck...

Yep, yep! We have been discounting the wisdom of the ages, trusting man’s “science”, but it turns out again that your semi-literate grandmother was right and “science” is forever trying to catch up with her.

I remember a “scientific study” demonstrating that indeed an apple a day keeps a doctor away!

Interesting comments. As for the wire tester - you’re talking about the inductive types with a clamp that goes around the insulated wire? I’m not sure how common those are. I’ve got about three of the regular multimeters with the + and (-) probes. One of them even has batteries that still work!

With regard to the iron - we have plenty of it in our blood. Some folks may have a better make up that gives them a better sense of direction. I’ve heard where folks that sleep with their head to the north do better with directions as well.

I was just telling my kids that there is still SO much to understand in this world. Makes it fun!

When I was a kid the nuns told us about a boy who got his head cut off by a train and his body got up and ran home.”

I don’t know if that is true or not, either. I do know, however, that the image is utterly unforgettable and that I will also have trouble sleeping for the next week or so. I will not tell my kids this story, however.....

Sure I did you said ‘The dog thing I dunno.’ So there - neener neener!

On a side note I’ve always loved what God says in Romans 8:19-23 - tis why I fully expect to be reunited with all of my old pets someday in Heaven.

“19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

Re-read verse 22 - if all of creation is inwardly groaning for this blessed event then it must mean there’s hope in Heaven redemption awaiting them too imho.

I don’t think it can be in the heart [yet somehow must be separate but linked with the heart] simply b/c people who have heart transplants do not lose their souls nor get someone else’s soul - do they?

It is said that the soul rests in the heart, but is not “stuck” there, so if there is a heart transplant, the soul just rests in the new heart.

Scientists who think that the brain is the seat of consciousness are wrong; consciousness comes from the soul, which is seated in the heart; the brain is a computer which is used by the consciousness. Consciousness emanates from the soul like light from the sun, it’s inseparable.

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