Candace Pert's Molecules of Emotion

[RichardR]

Has anyone heard of Candace Pert and her recent book "Molecules of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine"? Pert is a scientist whose book apparently supports certain alternative "medicine" beliefs, and the woo woos are referring to it as proof of something or other.

The book is available at Amazon.com here:

Background:

From what I have been told, Pert was the scientist who discovered opiate receptors, although she was apparently passed over for recognition for this as well as for the discovery of some mechanisms to control AIDS. But it is her talk of mind-body communication and her theory that memories and emotions do not only reside in the brain that has the woo woos talking.

Pert claims that short chains of amino acids called peptides, and their receptors, are the "biochemical correlate of emotion." Peptides are found in the brain, but also in the stomach, muscles, glands and all the major organs. Her conclusion is that peptides in these other organs have memories.

Read this interview with Pert:

Experiments show that the hippocampus area of the brain [part of the limbic system] is the access or gateway into the whole emotional experience. Almost every variety of peptide receptor is found in the hippocampus. Through the peptide network, which is anything that has peptide receptors on it, you can access different memories, mood states or developmental stages. Strong emotions are the key variable that make us bother to remember things.

There is a lot of evidence that memory occurs at the point of synapse, there are changes that take place in the receptors. The sensitivity of the receptors are part of memory and pattern storage. But the peptide network expends beyond the hippocampus, to organs, tissue, skin, muscle and endocrine glands. They all have peptides receptors on them and can access and store emotional information. This means this emotional memory is stored in many places in the body, not just the brain.

Woo woos are already saying this validates the "chakra" system.

I can do a google search and read up on this stuff myself. I can also get her book and read it. Before I start though, I wondered if anyone knew what had actually been demonstrated. You'll note, in the quote above, she concludes that since other organs etc have peptides, "this means this emotional memory is stored in many places in the body, not just the brain". This seems like a leap – has this been tested, written up, peer reviewed, replicated etc?

Thanks.

(Note to Claus – I sense a possible book review. )

 

[Quasi]

Oh yeah, she probably left out people who lost limbs in combat- and who remember everything in striking detail to the point they have "flashbacks." Hmmm, sounds like this peptide theory has a few holes. Further, peptides, proteins and small molecules all have a critical function in pathways. In fact, most peptides do not act alone, but in concert with other compounds. This is the same idea that grade school girl did saying that dihydrogen monoxide has been found in every cancer case, so it should be banned. Of course, many naive adults were drawn in, until she revealed their ignorance, and the point of her science project- most people are horribly ignorant. Hey- has anyone who has received a transplant retained memories of the donor? I think not.

 

[JamesM]

Hey- has anyone who has received a transplant retained memories of the donor? I think not.

There are anecdotal reports of related things occuring - if not memories, changes in tastes and behaviours to those of the donor. I am unaware of any evidence that rises above the level of 'intriguing yarn', however.

 

[jj]

Hey- has anyone who has received a transplant retained memories of the donor? I think not.

I think you're seriously oversimplifying this.

There is a fair amount of newish evidence that various systems do learn how to organize themselves from the various transmitters floating about. This is in fact a kind of memory, although hardly the kind of memory you're talking about.

 

[arcticpenguin]

My bedside table has memory, because I put my wallet and keys on it every night, and they are still there in the morning.

 

[Soapy Sam]

I read a book by Pert about two years ago. Summer holiday reading. Sounds like this one, but there may be more than one.
I don't have the biological knowledge to comment on her peptide theory. I do recall starting out finding the book interesting, then becoming uncomfortable with the way it veered into discussions of her personal life and her apparent grievances with the research community. There was a strong feeling of someone twisting the facts to make them fit a preconceived model.
It was as if half way thorough "The Selfish Gene " Dawkins had introduced guest chapters by Shirley Maclaine.
I did not finish the book. I gave it to a friend (Medic, female). She expressed similar misgivings and did not finish it either.

Some writers of popular science / medecine do themselves no favours . I feel Ms Pert was let down by her editors who should have cut the wooly stuff. But maybe it's the wooly stuff that sells.

I too would like to know how her actual research holds up.

 

[RichardR]

Oh yeah, she probably left out people who lost limbs in combat- and who remember everything in striking detail to the point they have "flashbacks." Hmmm, sounds like this peptide theory has a few holes. Further, peptides, proteins and small molecules all have a critical function in pathways. In fact, most peptides do not act alone, but in concert with other compounds. This is the same idea that grade school girl did saying that dihydrogen monoxide has been found in every cancer case, so it should be banned. Of course, many naive adults were drawn in, until she revealed their ignorance, and the point of her science project- most people are horribly ignorant. Hey- has anyone who has received a transplant retained memories of the donor? I think not.

Well, she holds a number of patents for modified peptides in the treatment of psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, stroke and head trauma, and one of them is currently in a Phase II trial for the treatment of AIDS. So I think she has more credibility that the schoolgirl you refer to. What I'm unsure of is how much she is speculating beyond what she has evidence for, and how much the woo woos are blowing this up even more. I have the book on order, anyway.

 

[RichardR]

Sam:

Thanks for your input.

I guess no one knows if this "emotional memory" in the body is part of peer-reviewed published research, then? Btw, Pert was mentioned to me by someone who thought that Pert's work somehow "proves" Reiki. I really don't see that connection, even if the book is solid. I'll read the book and report back on anything interesting.