Do Schizophrenics Live in Parallel Universes?

A few days ago I read an article on the Psychology Tomorrow Magazine by Dr. John Valks. It was titled: "Do Schizophrenics Live in Parallel Universes?". The article attempted at explaining a possible link between a long-feared delusional mental disorder and the theory of alternate realities as proposed by quantum physicists. The work intrigued me, and I thought of doing a post to elaborate further on the topic, in simple language, of course!

The word "schizophrenia" comes from the Greek words 'skhizein' (to split) and 'phren' (mind). The Stanford University of Medicine defines it as "a thought disorder: a brain disorder that interferes with a person's ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others". Schizophrenics are often subjected to visual, auditory and nasal illusions, thinking disability and emotional coldness. This severe mental disease is thought by psychologists to be a collection of syndromes under one name, caused by an abnormal neuronal development of the brain in the foetus. The disease is thought to affect 1% of all adults globally. But whatever does it have to do with parallel universes?

Multiverse: Image by Blazing Portals

For ease of understanding, I will keep this as simple as possible. The Standard Model of Particle Physics explains the working of all forms of matter, as well as energy, in terms of the behavior of subatomic particles (electrons, neutrons and protons). However, it fails to explain the working of gravity. As a result, certain physicists have used an alternate called the String Theory to propose an explanation for gravitational energy, by considering a hypothetical particle called graviton. The String Theory has evolved to be the most concise and promising candidate for a Theory of Everything, which describes the working of all forces, matter and energy, including gravity. To begin with, the String Theory rejects the common belief that subatomic particles are point-like. Instead, it states that they are like one-dimensional strings. These strings, in turn, can oscillate in a number of ways, which determines whether they express as energy or matter. Thus, as per the String Theory, a string is the fundamental unit of matter and energy. But that's not all.

The String Theory also proposes the existence of an infinity of parallel universes. According to it, each universe is like a bubble, resting alongside many more bubble-like universes. The universe you are in is essentially a three dimensional universe, with length, breadth and height forming the 3 dimensions. There are all in all 11 dimensions, and there exist universes with more, less or an equal number of dimensions as this one. But still, what does this have to do with schizophrenia?

Each string vibrates in multiple dimensions, but the human brain is able to perceive only a particular frequency of vibration, limiting its perception to only one universe- the one he is in. As yet, the exact cause of schizophrenia is not known, nor the exact effect it has on the brain. Thus, it may be quite possible that, a person afflicted with schizophrenia can perceive more than just one universe, because his brain is able to catch a higher frequency range of vibrating strings. But this would mean that schizophrenia isn't a disorder, it is rather a psychic power! Also, the hallucionations of schizophrenics won't be hallucinations, they would be visions from another universe!

But is that possible? At this point, nothing can be said for sure. Researchers are being conducted everyday, and perhaps one day everyone will know. Let me know your thoughts.

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.

View the original article here

Categories: Parallel, Schizophrenics, Universes