In the sampling of ancient cultural traditions in Part I of this essay, it could it be seen that, for hundreds and thousands of years, people have associated Omega-3-rich fish with desirable life factors like physical health, mental health, happiness, prosperity, fertility, and luck. It also emerged that people have linked fish with mystical, occult, or esoteric knowledge or abilities. This is implicit throughout the traditions in that fish are associated with magical transformations and spiritual faith, but it is made explicit in the case of story of the astrological sign Pisces, the Capricorn’s tail, and the Quranic story of the revivified fish representing mystical knowledge.
It is also striking how often the ancient narratives involve two fish or the meeting of two things to become one fish. This can be seen in the Taoist Yin Yang symbol, Buddhism, the creation myth from Mali, West Africa, the Greek myth, the vesica pisces being the result of two circles, the Pisces astrological symbol, the Mesoamerican Maya creation myth, and the Quranic story of two types of knowledge meeting via the fish.
There are many kinds of dualities into which we humans divide our world, but the prevailing duality captured by these stories is matter v. spirit. The fish in the stories represent the transformation of one into the other.
If these ancient cultural narratives were accurately tapping into the neurological and psychological benefits of Omega-3-rich fish, is it possible that they were also tapping into the psi-facilitative benefits of Omega-3 in fish? In this essay, we will explore the hypothesis that Omega-3 is psi-facilitative, and speculate about some possible biophysics models of how this might work.
Overall plan for this essay
First of all, what would psi facilitation look like? Possibly it would vary a lot. For some people it might just look like Flow – greater comfort and success in the world. For some people it might look like a moderate increase in intuition, synchronicity, the occasional precognitive dream. And for some it might look like a leap in clairvoyance or communication with transpersonal beings.
Now, what evidence do we have that Omega-3 consumption correlates with greater psi? Not much yet. I have only been able to find one striking piece of research involving brainwaves – we will look that that first. Then, we’ll speculate about how Omega-3 or algae might be psi-friendly.
This has been a confusing essay to organize, so I’m including the outline at the beginning as a map of the territory to help orient you.
II. The cell membrane: Bruce Lipton
a. Omega-3 mechanisms of action
b. Omega-3 and cell membrane flexibility
c. Bruce Lipton on the cell membrane
III. Entanglement: Dean Radin
a. Dean Radin on quantum coherence and entanglement in living systems
b. Quantum coherence and entanglement in algae and bacteria
c. Molecular vibration of Omega-3
d. Crawford et al. on quantum effects in DHA
e. Omega-3 facilitates quantum coherence and entanglement
IV. Microtubules: Stuart Hameroff
a. Stuart Hameroff on microtubules
b. Omega-3 and microtubules
V. Morphic fields: Rupert Sheldrake
a. The natural history of algae
b. Why does algae produce Omega-3?
i. Human brains also produce Omega-3 during growth and stress
c. The natural history of Omega-3 (especially DHA)
d. Rupert Sheldrake on morphic fields
i. How morphic resonance makes psi possible
e. Omega-3, the human brain, evolution, morphic resonance, and psi
Directions for further exploration
My personal experience with Omega-3 and psi
I. ================= Brainwaves
In a 2005 paper, researchers at the University of Siena studied the effects of 35 days of supplementation by 2.8 g Omega-3 on healthy subjects’ cognition, attention, memory, mood, and reaction time. The period of Omega-3 supplementation improved the subjects’ performance in every way, but for our purposes here, the really interesting result was that every EEG recording in every condition showed a shift to less beta and more alpha and theta brainwave frequencies. “An EEG frequency shift towards the theta and alpha band were recorded in all the tests after Omega-3” (Fontani et al., 2005, p. 691).
“The frequency distribution showed a shift towards low frequencies in all recordings after Omega-3 supplementation (Table 3); this effect was absent in the tests performed by the P [placebo] group. In particular, after Omega-3 the percentage of the beta-2 band decreased significantly in all the tests and in the relaxation period. Its reduction was accompanied by a concomitant increase of the theta and alpha bands (Table 3)” (Fontani et al., p. 696).
There is some research evidence and anecdotal evidence that slower brainwaves like alpha and theta (and also even slower delta and the faster gamma) may be correlated with greater psi.
Neuroscientist and psychic researcher Michael Persinger, PhD has done extensive research on the influence of electromagnetic and geomagnetic influences on the brain and psi (Wiki). He has looked at alpha, theta, and delta waves, and found various correlations of interest with the creation of consciousness in general, altered states including transcendence, experiencing an immaterial presence, entrainment between two brains at a distance, and other psi or spiritual phenomena (Persinger, 1984; Persinger, 1999; Persinger et al., 2003; Richards et al., 2002).
Sociologist and energy healer Bill Bengston, Ph.D., working with Luke Hendricks, and Jay Gunkelman showed that when Bengston put his hands on someone who wanted healing, Bengston’s EEG showed a brainwave frequency of about 7.81 Hz, which is the borderline between alpha and theta. Furthermore, after awhile, the recipient’s EEG showed an entrained brainwave (Bengston & Fraser, 2010, pp. 175-7).
Luke Hendricks recognized that this was the frequency of the Schumann resonance, “a long electromagnetic wave, discovered by Winfried Otto Schumann, that continuously circles our planet between its surface and the ionosphere (Bengston & Fraser, 2010, p. 176).
Biologist and biophysicist James Oschman, Ph.D. has written about the Schumann resonance and energy healing. He cites experiments in which Robert C. Beck --
"used EEG recordings to study brain wave activity in ‘healers’ from all over the world: psychics, shamans, faith healers, a Hawaiian kahuna, practitioners of wicca, etc." and found that "all these healers produced similar brain wave patterns when they were … performing a healing… register[ing] brain wave activity averaging about 7.8-8.0 cycles/second… Beck performed additional studies on some of the subjects and found that during healing moments their brain waves became phase and frequency synchronized with the earth’s geoelectric micropulsations – the Schumann resonance” (Oschmann in Schutz, 2010, bioenergyandcancer.blogspot.com).
Neurofeedback clinician and researcher Anna Wise concluded, based on decades of work with neurofeedback, that alpha brainwaves were associated with visualization and relaxed awareness, and theta brainwaves were associated with the personal unconscious, intuition, and spiritual insight. Although she thought psi was most commonly associated with delta waves, she thought alpha and theta were essential for making psi conscious. Otherwise it would remain unconscious (Wise, 1995/2004).
The Monroe Institute has done extensive research using binaural beat brainwave entrainment to cultivate various states. Some of their research links hemispherically synchronized alpha and theta with what they call Focus 10 – a state of acute consciousness, almost no experience of body, visions, and intuition (Sadigh, nd, monroeinstitute.org; Sadigh, 1990, monroeinstitute.org; Aardema, 2006, monroeinstitute.org).
Other Monroe Institute research has linked alpha-suppression in the presence of synchronized theta, delta, and gamma with a transcendent state that surpasses the personal mind and enters universal awareness (Atwater, 1993, monroeinstitute.org).
So, it looks like Omega-3 may somehow increase the brain’s tendency to alpha and theta waves (after only 35 days of 2.8 g!), which in turn seems to correlate with psi.
II. ================= The cell membrane: Bruce Lipton
Omega-3 mechanisms of action
As we saw in the previous essay, Omega-3 fatty acids are phenomenally helpful for neurological and psychological problems. However, they are also used throughout the body, and are helpful for inflammatory disease, injury repair, immune function, cancer tumors, cardiovascular disease, liver, intestines, skin, etc. Omega-3 is used in every single cell in your body.
In this essay, we will take a two-pronged approach, focusing some of the time on how Omega-3 in the neurological system might facilitate psi, and part of the time on how Omega-3 in all the cells of the body might facilitate psi.
Omega-3 operates via many, many mechanisms of action, and it seems like we may not even have discovered all of them yet.
In the neurological system, Omega-3 and its by-products can be messenger molecules, and influence cell migration, cell death, synaptogenesis, and cholinergic, serotoninergic and catecholaminergic synaptic transmission (Fontani et al., pp. 691-2).
In discussing the findings of a study showing the efficacy of Omega-3 injected post stroke, the study’s first author Richard Deckelbaum, MD of Columbia University listed some of the many mechanisms of Omega-3 --
The effects of the omega-3 fatty acids include increasing the production of natural neuroprotectants in the brain, reducing inflammation and cell death, and activating genes that may protect brain cells. Omega-3 fatty acids also markedly reduce the release of harmful oxidants into the brain after stroke. "In most clinical trials in the past, the compounds tested affected only one pathway. Omega-3 fatty acids, in contrast, are very bioactive molecules that target multiple mechanisms involved in brain death after stroke” (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220184723.htm).
One of Omega-3’s important mechanisms of action is to build and repair myelin (Tremblay, 2011; http://neuroscienceandpsi.blogspot.com/2013/02/bill-gray-and-myelin-sheathed-neuron-as.html).
In this essay, we are going to focus on one of Omega-3’s most important mechanisms of action, which is that it increases cell membrane flexibility – in the neurological system and in every other cell of the body.
Omega-3 and cell membrane flexibility
In the cultural history of fish in Part I, fish often symbolized mutability or transformation. Interestingly, the Omega-3 found in fish makes the the entire body, and every cell membrane more fluid, flexible, and mutable.
This is specifically true of the neurological system, where Omega-3 improves neurological functioning by making cell membranes more flexible and efficient. In optimal balance with Omega-6, Omega-3’s
“…preserve membrane fluidity by decreasing the level of cholesterol which hardens membranes , and…are required for normal membrane structure and function and for normal signal transduction processes . Besides influencing membrane fluidity, they can modify the activity of membrane bound enzymes, the number and affinity of receptors, the function of ion channels, the production and activity of neurotransmitters and signal transduction” (Fontani et al., 2005, p. 692).
More on Omega-3 and cell membranes in the brain --
“The brain is a fatty organ - it's 60% fat by dry weight, and the essential fatty acids are what make part of its structure, making up 20% of the nerve cells' membranes. The synapses, or junctions where nerve cells connect with other nerve cells, contain even higher concentrations of essential fatty acids - being made of about 60% of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
Communication between the nerve cells depends on neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, docking with receptors in the nerve cell membrane.
Omega-3 DHA is very long and highly flexible. When it is incorporated into the nerve cell membrane it helps make the membrane itself elastic and fluid so that signals pass through it efficiently. But if the wrong fatty acids are incorporated into the membrane, the neurotransmitters can't dock properly” (Lawrence, 2006).
Omega-3 also improves functioning in the rest of the body by increasing cell membrane flexibility.
“Fats in the form of a bilipid layer is an important structure in the cell membrane and acts as the flexible gateway. It also forms the multitudinous array of receptors that perform the metabolic function of life….
Fats are tiny molecules. Imagine 100 quintillion (100 x 18 zeroes) of them in a single drop of oil. They are much smaller than proteins, thus contributing to their mystery.
Fats are solid and oils are liquid. Fatty acids, the basic unit, are shaped like a caterpillar…
"Lipid" is a technical term for essential fats. Phospholipids, recently branded as "PhD" in milk formula advertisements, are lipids bonded to a phosphate group, forming an important part of the cell membrane….
The cell is the most basic building block of the human body, and all metabolic activities depend on the proper functioning of its membranes. Healthy ageing is never complete without consideration of membrane chemistry.
The bilipid layer is one of the most elegant structures in the universe, with the hydrophilic (water-loving) heads of the fatty acid facing out, and the hydrophobic (water-hating) tails facing each other, sandwiched between. It is the polarity between the heads that allow protein transport in and out of the cell….
“Omega-3 fatty acids are able to oscillate more by virtue of their structural characteristics. Their flexible character provides fluidity to the cell and effectively balances the rigid structural fats, such as the saturated fats and cholesterol.
It is this rich mixture of super-unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids with their high-energy vibration that enable cell signaling and modulate the function of the membrane-bound proteins” (Liaw, nd).
Bruce Lipton on the cell membrane
How might greater cell membrane flexibility and efficiency be psi-facilitative? The short answer is that a better cell membrane is even more in touch with the environment – and by this I mean more than just the material environment.
In his paradigm-shifting book “The Biology of Belief,” cell biologist Bruce Lipton, Ph.D. subverts the prevalent belief that genes control destiny with the analysis that it is the interaction between the environment and the cell membrane that has the most to say about destiny. He underscores that the “environment” consists not just of material influences, but energetic, and consciousness influences. He defends beautifully the proposition that the cell membrane, and not the nucleus, is the brain of the cell. And, he makes the case that the source of self and consciousness is actually outside the cell (Lipton, 2005).
The cell membrane is speckled with receptor and effector proteins. Some receptors respond to physical signals from the environment, some to vibrational energy fields (Lipton, 2005, p. 83).
Because the phospholipid molecules of the cell membrane line up so precisely, Lipton realized that the cell membrane had the properties of a liquid crystal. Since it conducts some things while keeping others out, it functions as a semiconductor using gates and channels. This makes it the structural and functional equivalent of a silicon chip. Just as with a silicon chip, the real source of activating information and intelligence is outside (Lipton, 2005, pp. 90-2).
Energy signals from the environment are far more efficient at affecting the cell and the body than signals in the form of physical molecules. “Specific frequencies and patterns of electromagnetic radiation regulate” and alter cells (Lipton, 2005, p. 111).
There is a class of receptor proteins on the cell membrane called self-receptors, which are related to the function of the immune system. They are what make your cells recognize what is you and not you. For example, they’re what make organ transplant difficult.
But Lipton stresses that it is not these self-receptors per se that make your identity. They are merely like antennae that recognize anything that is “you” in their environment. In other words, the source of self is in the environment outside your cells. Lipton believes that there is information in the environment that is you, your self, and that this information exists continuously and coherently, and is downloaded by your cells while you are using this body (Lipton, 2005, pp. 189-92).
Note that it is not only neurons that carry / receive identity, but all cells. Molecular biologist Candace Pert, Ph.D. discovered that information-processing neuroreceptors are found not only on neurons but on most, if not all, of the cells of the body. “Her elegant experiments established that the ‘mind’ was not focused in the head, but was distributed via signal molecules to the whole body” (Lipton, 2005, p. 132).
So, Omega-3 improves the cell membrane by making it more flexible, efficient, and better able to receive molecular signals. The pliability of Omega-3 molecules also makes them more sensitive to energetic signals, and possibly to still unknown quantum or psi effects. If self or consciousness is located outside the body, then Omega-3 makes cell membranes more effective at receiving more information about one’s own consciousness and possibly the collective or universal consciousness as well.
Just to make it even more interesting, Lipton explains that evolutionary progress involved expansion of the cell membrane surface so that it could pack in more interactive proteins (Lipton, 2005, p. 87 & 197). It turns out that Omega-3 causes cell membrane expansion (Kidd, 2005; Darios & Davletov, 2006; Chytrova et al., 2010). So, this is yet another mechanism by which Omega-3 increases adaptive contact with the environment. Improved structure means improved function.
III. ================= Entanglement: Dean Radin
Dean Radin on quantum coherence and entanglement in living systems
We alluded to quantum effects just now. Let’s expand on that angle. How might greater cell membrane flexibility be psi-facilitative? The short answer is that it increases quantum coherence or quantum entanglement by virtue of being more mutable.
In his second book, “Entangled Minds,” educational psychologist, electrical engineer, and psychic researcher Dean Radin, Ph.D. has a very useful chapter that reviews the history of theories of psi. There is still a lot we don’t know about how psi works, but quantum physics shows some promise of contributing to the answer.
The most recent theories of how psi works tend to include the physics concepts of quantum coherence and quantum entanglement.
The term quantum coherence is used in two ways. First, it can refer to the idea that, until something is observed, it exists as a set of probabilities. At the microscopic level, this means that, until a particle is observed, it is really in all its possible states at once, like a cloud instead of a billiard ball. At the macroscopic level, this means that, until a system is observed, it is really in all possible states at once. An example of this would be Schrödinger’s cat (Wiki, nonlocal.com).
The other way that the term quantum coherence is used is to describe “….circumstances when large numbers of particles can collectively cooperate in a single quantum state...” An example of this is the laser (quote is from Roger Penrose, nonlocal.com)
Quantum entanglement is when particles (or larger objects or systems) become related in such a way that even when they are separated, observation of one will cause the other to behave in the same way instantly, with no apparent connection (Wiki).
As you can see, these are related and overlapping terms. The main ideas are that nature is more probabilistic and indeterminate than it is concrete, and that two or more particles can work together in a way that cannot be explained from the Newtonian, materialist paradigm we’re all most familiar with. They can communicate instantly over distance with no apparent connection. As geneticist Mae-Wan Ho, Ph.D. wrote: "A quantum coherent state thus maximizes both global cohesion and also local freedom! Nature presents us with a deep riddle that compels us to accommodate seemingly polar opposites..." (Ho, 2008). And, as Dean Radin wrote, psi may be the psychological experience of these quantum relationships (Radin, 2010).
Right off the bat, you can see how Omega-3 makes the cell membrane more able to take advantage of these quantum properties. Omega-3 molecules are more flexible, pliable and sensitive, and they make the cell membrane more more flexible and available for indeterminacy and resonant cooperation with the environment.
Quantum coherence and entanglement in algae and bacteria
In a nice irony or synchronicity, quantum coherence has been demonstrated in algae, which is the primary source of Omega-3. In 2010, researchers in Canada, using low-power laser pulses as a source of light, showed that light-absorbing molecules in algae that are part of the process of photosynthesis cooperate with each other despite having no classical means of communication with each other. The researchers point out that this makes for more efficient light-harvesting in marine algae (Collini et al., 2010; Radin, 2010).
As one of the researchers in the 2010 Canadian algae study said: “[This] suggests that algae knew about quantum mechanics nearly two billion years before humans” (Menon, 2013).
A couple of studies with marine bacteria revealed even more amazing things. In 2007, American researchers, using actual bacteria, and laser pulses to simulate sunlight, showed that, as part of the photosynthetic process of converting light into stored energy, there are particles (excitons) that exist in many potential positions at once. This allows the excitons to explore many different pathways simultaneously, and choose the most efficient one (Engel et al., 2007; Cofield, 2013).
Then, just this year, an international group of researchers, using a simulation based on data from a previous study with actual bacteria (Wendling et al., 2000), showed that something is helping these particles to stay in a quantum coherent state for a very long time. That something is the protein molecules involved in the photosynthesis (Chin et al., 2013; Cofield, 2013). What this means is that something as big and “warm and wet” as an organic molecule is helping maintain a state where particles are not acting as billiard balls, but as clouds of probability. “The study suggests that molecular vibrations do not destroy the coherence – as previously thought – but rather perpetuate and even regenerate coherence” (Cofield, 2013).
Finally, a team of American researchers has just used a simulation to show that both “noise” (random fluctuation) from incoherent, natural light, and noise from molecular vibration induced quantum coherence. This demonstrated that coherent, laser light was not necessary to induce quantum effects (Dorfman et al., 2013).
So, contrary to expectations, noisy, incoherent light and molecular vibration can actually facilitate quantum coherence and entanglement in living systems. Omega-3 fatty acid molecules increase vibration in the cell membrane. Let’s take a moment to look at molecular vibration and Omega-3.
Molecular vibration of Omega-3
(Note these last four studies are talking about instances of quantum coherence that are occurring inside the cell, but they are suggestive of the possibility of greater quantum coherence between the outer cell membrane and the environment. In fact, Omega-3 is a component of membranes within the cell too, around the nucleus and the mitochondria (also involved in energy production) (omegascience.org, 2013; phototroph.blogspot.com, 2008; Kane, nd). Algae have membrane-bound organelles, bacteria do not.)
Omega-3 fatty acid molecules are longer and have more double bonds than Omega-6 fatty acids. This means they are more pliable and vibrate more.
For example, the Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) has --
-- 22 carbons, 6 double bonds between carbon atoms
-- the acid (-COOH) end is the alpha (beginning)
-- the methyl (CH3) end is the omega (end)
-- a final double carbon bond in the n-3 position, counting from the methyl (CH3) end
-- and is a polyunsaturated fat (Wiki).
The Omega-6 Linoleic Acid (LA) has --
-- 18 carbons, 2 double bonds between carbon atoms
-- a final double carbon bond in the n-6 position, counting from the methyl end
-- and is an unsaturated fat (Wiki).
The more double bonds (carbon-carbon, C-C) a molecule has, the more curved it is. This shape prevents molecules from being tightly packed, and this contributes to their fluidity, flexibility and mutability. For example, they will have a lower melting point (Wiki).
Unsaturated fats are in constant motion; the double-bond makes the molecule vibrate (Kane, nd, p. 10). The closer the final double-bond is to the end, as it is in the Omega-3 fatty acids, the more the molecule vibrates (Kane, nd, p. 13). The DHA molecule has been shown to take over 100 alternate configurations; it is constantly changing (Bradbury, 2011, pp. 536-7).
CARS microscopy uses photons to measure vibrational signatures of molecules (Wiki). CARS microscopy of a glycerol tripalmitate crystal “composed of saturated fatty acids typically found in mammalian lipids” showed one vibrational frequency of its CH2 methylene group but no vibration of its C-C carbon double bond. However, this crystal was surrounded by Omega-3 oil extracted from fish, and the Omega-3 showed
“a resonant signal not only at the general lipid vibration but also at the C-C vibration because of the presence of PUFAs [polyunsaturated fatty acids]. This allows visual separation of lipids at a microscopic level with respect to their degree of saturation, and possibly also dynamic changes thereof” (Salzer, 2012, 10.8.2, pp. 321-2, see the image in the link in the bibliographic entry for Salzer).
This shows that there is a difference between the vibration of saturated fat and Omega-3, with Omega-3 having vibration at more than one location on the molecule.
Crawford et al. on quantum effects in DHA
Psychiatrist and mental health researcher Michael A. Crawford, M.D. and colleagues have proposed that DHA has had a paradigm-shifting role in evolution. This will be discussed below in the section on morphic fields. They have also proposed that this is due to the fact that the molecular structure of DHA is uniquely qualified to promote quantum effects.
Pi electron bonds are bonds between two adjacent atoms with a particular shape of electron orbit (chem.ucla.edu). The unique structure of DHA, with its double bond so near the end and its greater vibration, could make the pi electron bonds in the double bonds behave in a way that makes quantum coherence possible. The authors propose that this would be comparable to Hameroff and Penrose’s theory of quantum coherence in microtubules (which will be discussed below in the section on Hameroff) or gap junctions (connections between the cytoplasm of two cells) (Crawford et al., 2013, p. 3).
Electron tunneling occurs when an electron is acting like a wave or probability cloud and can tunnel through a barrier or across a gap. According to Crawford and colleagues, the unique molecular structure of DHA makes coherent communication probable along the length of the molecule and between adjacent molecules, possibly via electron tunneling (Crawford et al.2008, p. 65, 67-8; Crawford et al., 2013, p. 4).
Omega-3 facilitates quantum coherence and entanglement
So, the hypothesis is that –
1) psi is facilitated by quantum coherence and entanglement;
2) quantum coherence and entanglement have been shown in single-celled organisms, where it was facilitated by incoherent, natural light, and molecular vibration; and
3) Omega-3 increases molecular vibration in the cell membrane (which, by the way, Lipton says is constantly deriving signals from the environment), so
4) greater molecular vibration caused by Omega-3 in the cell membrane and / or the structure of DHA may increase opportunities for quantum coherence and entanglement with the environment, which increases psi.
Radin predicted these quantum effects in living systems, and research as borne him out. He has also predicted that this quantum bio-physics will turn out to be the basis of the psychological experience of psi (Radin, 2005, pp. 14, 16; deanradin.blogspot.com/2010/02). Radin tends to write in terms of neurons and the brain, and Omega-3 is a major component of the brain. But, as mentioned above, Lipton and Pert consider the mind to be received by or to reside in all the cells of the body.
Whether we look at the effects of Omega-3 on neurons or other cells, on the cell membrane, or other parts of the cell, the main idea of this hypothesis is that Omega-3 increases flexibility and vibration, which makes the system more available for quantum coherence and entanglement, which facilitates psi.
As we saw above, a certain amount of vibration and signal noise may facilitate quantum effects in photosynthesis in algae and bacteria. It may be that Omega-3 molecules foster a kind of Goldilocks Zone where there is just the right amount of flexibility, vibration, and noise in the system.
This jibes with psychologist William Braud, Ph.D.’s theory that lability, the ready capacity for change, “the ease with which a system can move from one state to another, the amount of ‘free variability’ in the system” increases the capacity for psi effects (Braud in Sheldrake, 2003, p. 272).
In regard to the noise, there is also a construct called stochastic resonance which may be relevant. A weak signal can be boosted by adding white noise, which contains in its mix frequencies that can resonate with the original weak signal and amplify it (Wiki). This shows again how a certain amount of “noise” can be enlisted to facilitate signal, or, in our case, entanglement.
IV. ================= Microtubules: Stuart Hameroff
Stuart Hameroff on microtubules
There is another theory about how quantum effects and consciousness happen in cells, which may explain how Omega-3 could facilitate psi. It is anesthesiologist and consciousness researcher Stuart Hameroff, M.D.’s theory about microtubules. Hameroff focused on the microtubules in neurons, but let us just keep in mind, a la Lipton and Pert, that microtubules exist in all the cells of the body, and may be implicated in consciousness received by or residing in the whole body.
Microtubules are tubes that form the cytoskeleton or scaffolding of every cell, and they serve many functions (Wiki). Hameroff got interested in the possible link between microtubules and consciousness early in his career when he learned that “anesthetics caused microtubules to disassemble” (Hameroff, nd, quantumconsciousness.org).
Building on the work of Roger Penrose, Hameroff proposes that microtubules have the right conditions to permit quantum entanglement of electrons within them. He proposes that entangled electrons in the microtubules of one neuron could link with entangled electrons in the microtubules of other neurons, connecting large areas of the brain (Wiki).
He theorizes that this quantum coherence is the substrate of consciousness, that there is a proto-consciousness that is a fundamental property of reality which we can access and which can influence us. Furthermore, “[u]nder normal circumstances consciousness occurs in the fundamental level of spacetime geometry confined in the brain. But when the metabolism driving quantum coherence (in microtubules) is lost, the quantum information leaks out to the spacetime geometry in the universe at large” (Hameroff in Taylor, 2005). This makes psi phenomena like NDEs,OBEs, and continued consciousness after death possible.
Omega-3 and microtubules
How does Omega-3 come in to this? Omega-3 has many mechanisms of action and there are at least two ways it may contribute to the quantum coherence in microtubules that leads to consciousness and psi.
For one thing, Omega-3 increases doublecortin, which is a microtubule-associated protein associated with neurogenesis. Omega-3 supplementation increased hippocampal doublecortin in old rats suggesting a positive effect on neurogenesis (Dyall et al., 2010; Dyall, 2011). Doublecortin stabilizes microtubules, binds them to the cytoskeleton, and causes bundling (Wiki). Doublecortin makes sure microtubles have the optimum 13 protofilaments, instead of too few or too many (Bechstedt & Brouhard, 2012; Wiki).
So, it’s possible that Omega-3, via Doublecortin or other means, improves microtubule functioning in such as way as to facilitate quantum coherence, consciousness, and psi.
Another possible mechanism by which Omega-3 might influence microtubule functioning has to do with the presence of fatty acids and lipids in the cytoplasm (Wiki). According to Hameroff and Penrose, the cytoplasm around the microtubules may alternate between a type of gel and the normal liquid. When it is in the gel form, it may shield the microtubules from environmental noise and permit quantum effects. Hameroff and his collaborators believe this gel state occurs when the protein actin polymerizes or forms chains (Hagan, Hameroff & Tuszynski, 2002).
There are many different derivatives of fatty acids that that are present in the cytoplasm and that might stimulate actin polymerization. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which carry forms of fatty acids and phospholipids, stimulate actin polymerization (Miller et al., 2003). Lysophosphatidic acid, a phospholipid derivative, stimulates actin polymerization (Fukushima et al., 2002). A short-chain fatty acid was shown to trigger actin polymerization (Karlsson et al., 2012). So, it’s possible that Omega-3 may be a precursor to molecules that stimulate actin polymerization, thus facilitating quantum effects in microtubules.
And, according to Hameroff, something that facilitates quantum effects in microtubules, would therefore facilitate consciousness and psi.
V. ================= Morphic fields: Rupert Sheldrake
We’re going to look at just one more way that Omega-3 might facilitate psi. This model will utilize Rupert Sheldrake, Ph.D.’s theory of morphic fields and propose that consuming a molecule that is produced by a very ancient life form that is at the base of the evolutionary ladder and the food chain connects us better with all the morphic fields of life on this planet and the morphic field of the planet itself.
The natural history of algae
Although fish are the primary source of the two forms of Omega-3 that are most useful for us, EPA and DHA are not actually produced by fish, but rather by marine or freshwater microalgae that the fish eat either directly or indirectly through the food chain.
There are over 320,000 species of algae ranging from unicellular organisms to giant kelps. They are autotrophic or self-feeding, creating organic compounds from simple inputs like sun and carbon dioxide (Wiki). They live in every ecosystem and account for over half of the primary production at the base of food chains (Harwood & Guschina, 2009). Several carbohydrate compounds derived from algae are commonly used in processed foods, so 70% of items in the average American family’s shopping cart contain algae ingredients (Edwards, 2010).
Algae are eukaryotes, meaning they have a cell nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, mitochondria, and microtubules. Eukaryotes are the second oldest life form on the planet, with a fossil record going back 2.1 billion years. Only the prokaryotes have been around longer. Prokaryotes are mostly single-celled organisms, whose nucleus has no membrane, such as bacteria, and they go back over four billion years (diffen.com; boundless.com)
No prokaryotes produce Omega-3 (google.com/patents/WO1989000606A1?cl=en). Land plants, some of which produce the less useful Omega-3 fatty acid ALA, have been around for about 475 million years (Wiki).
“Microalgae contain lipids and fatty acids as membrane components, storage products, metabolites and sources of energy” (FAO, 1997). Algae cytoplasm and cell membranes have to be fluid at cold temperatures, so their lipids are very fluid. Omega-3 contributes to making lipids more buoyant in algae, and making low-density lipoprotein (LDL) more buoyant and less atherogenic in us (Edwards, 2010; von Schacky, 2006;Wiki).
Several strains of algae are composed of up to 70% to 85% lipids (fatty acids and their derivatives) (FAO, 1997; Ratledge, 2004). Botryococcus braunii is 86% lipids, Chlorella ellipsoidea is 84% lipids (Edwards, 2010). Under certain conditions, Botryococcus reaches 90% lipids (FAO, 1997).
Why does algae produce Omega-3?
Two words: stress and growth. Algae produce Omega-3 in order to promote adaptation and survival in changing conditions. Omega-3 production can even be enhanced to extraordinary proportions by stressing algae with unfavorable conditions. Omega-3 accumulation is also linked to certain stages of growth, such as cell division, or in some strains, the early stages of growth (Adarme-Vegal et al., 2012; FAO, 1997).
According to a very useful and fascinating paper by Adarme-Vegal et al. (2012) on algal production of Omega-3 --
“Microalgae produce a variety of compounds to help in the adaptation and survival of different environmental conditions. Many marine microalgal strains have oil contents of between 10–50%, (w/w) and produce a high percentage of total lipids (up to 30–70% of dry weight) . The accumulation of fatty acids is closely linked to microalgal growth stages, functioning as an energy stockpile during unfavourable conditions or cell division. Omega-3 is accumulated due to its high energy content, as well as the good flow properties crucial for cellular functions. [73,74]”
“An increase in microalgal lipid content can be induced by a sudden change of growth conditions. The accumulation of starch and/or lipids reserves is considered a survival mechanism in response to growth-limiting stresses , such as UV radiation , temperature  and shock or nutrient deprivation [81,82], as long as light conditions are present that still allow efficient photosynthesis.”
“Omega-3 fatty acid biosynthesis can be stimulated by a number of environmental stresses, such as low temperature, change of salinity or UV radiation….. An increase in PUFAs is expected as these fatty acids have good flow properties and would be predominately used in the cell membrane to maintain fluidity during low temperatures….Some of the increased PUFAs are used to repair membrane damage but as PUFAs contain many double bonds, these also act as an antioxidant by scavenging free radicals” (Adarme-Vegal et al., 2012).
Human brains also produce Omega-3 during growth and stress
Omega-3 serves many different functions throughout the human body, and has many different mechanisms of action, but it is kind of amazing to note that, like algae, human brains also produce Omega-3 during growth and stress.
During the restoration of blood flow after a blockage in rat brains and in oxidative stress-challenged human retinal cells, endogenous DHA is promptly released and converted into neuroprotectin D1 which serves many neuroprotective functions, including regeneration and preservation of neurons. “During any threat to cell or local tissue homeostasis” Omega-6 and Omega-3 are released for needed pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects (Bradbury, 2011, 537-8). People tested within 48 hours of a traumatic brain injury showed a significant increase in various fatty acids, including DHA (an Omega-3), in the cerebral spinal fluid, compared to controls (Pilitis et al., 2003).
In other words, there is an endogenous, automatic self-protective mechanism that involves Omega-3 which is triggered by the onset of brain injury (Bazan, 2005; Bazan et al., 2005; Bazan, 2006; Bazan et al., 2011).
In terms of growth, the Omega-3 DHA is both produced and utilized at significantly higher levels during the periods of greatest brain or vision development. During the third trimester, when neural growth is greatest, the blood and brain of the human fetus show a significant increase in arachidonic acid (an Omega-6) and DHA. A total of 600 g of fatty acids is transferred from mother to fetus during full-term gestation. (Uauy & Dangour, 2006, p. S26)
In general, neonate development correlates significantly with DHA consumption (Uauy & Dangour, 2006, pp. S24-28). However, DHA supplementation led to better visual evoked potential acuity than controls *only* during periods of rapid changes in development of acuity – the first 20 weeks and after 35 weeks -- not during the plateau period around 6 months (Uauy & Dangour, 2006, p. S27).
Perhaps most interesting, there is an enzyme present in neonates that rapidly declines with age, that facilitates conversion of ALA (the simplest Omega-3) to DHA (the most important Omega-3 for many brain functions). Animal studies suggest that this enzyme is at its peak in the brain during the period of most rapid brain growth, that is 4-5 days after birth (Bradbury, 2011, p. 534; Cook, 1991).
The natural history of Omega-3 (especially DHA)
It turns out that it is not a coincidence that the DHA molecule serves similar purposes in algae and human brains. This molecule has been around for a long time, and has been highly conserved by evolution. That is, it maintained the same form and functions in many different species.
Psychiatrist and mental health researcher Michael A. Crawford, MD and colleagues have a very interesting theory. About 542 million years ago, there was an evolutionary uptick that produced a large number of species. This is called the Cambrian explosion and there are a number of theories about why it happened (Wiki).
The first photosynthesis occurred in prokaryotes (eg bacteria) about 3.5 billion years ago. This required existing oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, but it produced the first free oxygen -- O2 -- in the atmosphere. Free atmospheric oxygen has increased slowly over time, but there have been bursts of increased oxygenation, one of which may have occurred at the time of the Cambrian explosion (Blankenship, 2010; Wiki).
Some theorists propose that the increased availability of oxygen made more complex biology possible, allowing structural design elements such as collagen (protein) or exoskeletons that gave creatures better defenses and larger size (Wiki). Crawford et al. have theorized that the greater availability of oxygen permitted the more abundant production of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids that use a lot of oxygen, especially DHA (Crawford & Broadhurst, 2012; Crawford et al., 2013, p. 2).
They believe that it was DHA that made cell membrane structure capable of sustaining greater intracellular complexity, and thus cell specialization, and thus, new, more complex species. In other words, lipids “played a major, as yet unrecognised, role as determinants in evolution.” They emphasize how conserved this molecule is, and hypothesize that it has had a great role in evolution, by pointing to --
“…the remarkable conservation of DHA in signaling systems over 600–500 million years. That is despite wide ranging changes in the genetic code and the great evolutionary changes, DHA has been rigorously conserved. It is as though DHA has been instructing the genes to do its bidding rather than the conventional view which is the other way round” (Crawford et al., 2008, p.71).
Furthermore, they propose that the brain first evolved from the rich source of DHA in the marine food web during the time of the Cambrian explosion (Crawford et al., 2008, p. 58). DHA “provided the core for the development of the photoreceptor, and
conversion of photons into electricity stimulated the evolution of the nervous system and brain” (Crawford et al. 2013). “DHA was the only molecule so selectively used over 600 million years of evolution in the photoreceptor and synaptic junction: locations where there is the most intense oxygen utilization, a threat to such a highly, unsaturated molecule” (Crawford et al., 2008, pp. 68-9)
Then, about 50 million years ago there was another turning point in human evolution, with the addition of seafood to the diet. Bone assays show that around that time there is a statistically significant rise in the the consumption of freshwater or marine protein between Neanderthals and early modern humans. Proto-humans evolved around water, and their increased consumption of DHA coincides with the rapid expansion of the cerebral cortex, and richer, more creative cultural artifacts (Bradbury, 2011, p. 530; Crawford & Broadhurst, 2012).
We are still dependent on the marine food web. Humans produce DHA very inefficiently, yet it composes a huge portion of our brains and we have very large brains proportionate to our size for land mammals. Therefore we are extremely dependent on “preformed” DHA from our food (Crawford et al., 2013, p. 2). Crawford et al. point to the correlation between the declining consumption of Omega-3 and the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases, especially brain disorders, and warn that DHA continues to play a crucial role in our continuing evolution (Crawford & Broadhurst, 2012).
Rupert Sheldrake on morphic fields
So, we’ve established the fundamental importance of algae and Omega-3, particularly DHA, to our evolution and continued existence. We’ve shown how intimately connected we are with these organisms and molecules. Now, let us finish by examining how biologist Rupert Sheldrake’s theory of morphic fields might take this intimate connection and show how it could facilitate psi.
Sheldrake’s theory of morphic resonance proposes that everything in the world comes into its form due to the influence of a field that has been created by its predecessors. This applies to atoms, cells, organs, plants, animals, human cultures, crystals – anything formed in the world.
“Morphic fields are shaped by morphic resonance from all similar past systems, and thus contain a cumulative collective memory. Morphic resonance depends on similarity and is not attenuated by distance in space and time. Morphic fields are local, within and around the systems they organise, but morphic resonance is non-local” (Sheldrake, 2012, p. 100).
This theory is rooted in the work of early 20th century biologists who came before Sheldrake, but he added the idea that “the structure of these fields is not determined by either transcendent Ideas or timeless mathematical formulae, but rather results from the actual forms of previous similar organisms” (Sheldrake, 1988, p. 108). For example, every growing crystal of copper sulfate resonates with previous crystals of copper sulfate. Every oak sapling is shaped by the collective field created by previous oaks (Sheldrake, 2012, p. 99).
The morphic resonance theory also supplements the gene theory in crucial ways. Genes, alone, cannot predict how an embryo will develop, nor can they predict what form a protein will take (Sheldrake, 2012, pp. 142-5). Also, genes, alone, cannot account for evolution. There are unexplained gaps and leaps in the evolutionary record. According to Sheldrake, the morphic fields of species evolve, as well as their genes (Sheldrake, 1999, p. 316). Many theorists have observed an apparent self-organizing capability in nature (Wiki – self-organization). Perhaps the Cambrian explosion was due, in part, to the emergence of a new set of morphic fields.
How morphic resonance makes psi possible
Sheldrake’s theory makes psi possible by noticing that systems in general are drawn to goals, and human experience in particular is driven by where we put our attention and intention, even if that is beyond the reach of our senses. Morphic fields “work by imposing patterns or structures on otherwise random or indeterminate processes in the systems under their control. Second, they contain attractors, which draw systems under their influence toward future goals” (Sheldrake, 2003, p.278).
Morphic fields --
“….include the behavioral fields that underlie the behavior and instincts of animals….These fields interact with nervous systems and brains by imposing pattern and order on otherwise indeterminate or chaotic processes within them…
Morphic fields also underlie our perceptions, thoughts, and other mental processes. The morphic fields of mental activities are called mental fields. Through mental fields, the extended mind reaches out into the environment through attention and intention, and connects with other members of social groups. These fields help explain telepathy, the sense of being stared at, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis. They may also help in the understanding of premonitions and precognitions through intentions projecting into the future” (Sheldrake, 2003, p. 279).
Omega-3, the human brain, evolution, morphic resonance, and psi
So, the hypothesis is that –
-- algae and Omega-3 are ancient organic forms on this planet,
-- and they are intrinsic and foundational to so much on the planet. Even petroleum and natural gas originate “from algae in ancient oceans” (FAO, 1997)!
-- We humans must have preformed Omega-3 DHA to be fully who we’re supposed to be. We become vulnerable to disease and emotional and cognitive impairment without it. We still need to consume algae / Omega-3 now.
-- The human brain is composed of and run by Omega-3. The organ that makes us most human, and is most central to our evolution is based on Omega-3 (Crawford & Broadhurst, 2012).
-- Algae and Omega-3 molecules have morphic fields. Sheldrake presumes that microorganisms and molecules have morphic fields (Sheldrake, 1999, p. 308; Sheldrake, 2003, p. 278).
-- There are nested morphic fields – a morphic field for your neurons, brain, family, culture, species, kingdom, organic life, the planet. Not only does ontogeny or morphogenesis recapitulate phylogeny, but the ongoing functioning of our bodies from the molecular level up recapitulates, to some extent, the mechanisms of our evolutionary relatives. (Cf. the Granick hypothesis which states that the way photosynthesis works now recapitulates the evolution of photosynthesis. This theory probably doesn’t capture everything, but has merit and is fascinating (Blankenship, 2010; flipper.diff.org).)
-- Morphic fields serve evolution; they are adaptive (Sheldrake, 1988/1995, p. 283; Sheldrake, 1999, p. 316).
-- The morphic field of the human brain / mind allows for psi through intention and attention (Sheldrake, 1999, p. 316; Sheldrake, 2003, p. 279). Psi is adaptive; it facilitates pursuing our goals.
-- Consuming algae / Omega-3 brings our brains to full functioning. This may work at both the physical molecular level and at the level of morphic resonance. This connects us physically and through morphic resonance to an ancient, foundational organism and molecule that are pervasive on our planet, and that we are highly dependent on, and which are part of many morphic fields. This may make more of the morphic fields of this planet more accessible.
-- There are morphic fields that are bad for us (radioactive elements, fascism) and morphic fields that are good for us (forests, Omega-3). Being exposed to healthful morphic fields is adaptive and should increase psi because psi is adaptive.
--Among many other functions, Omega-3 is produced by algae and humans in order to adapt to stress and to grow. This underscores the resonance between algae and us. Stress and growth are conditions that call upon intention and attention even more strongly. Per Sheldrake, intention and attention undergird psi through morphic resonance.
Directions for further exploration
There are so many more potential links between Omega-3 and psi, but this essay is getting unwieldy, so let us just mention some of the possibilities for further inquiry:
Photon emission. Explore the possible connections among Michael Persinger’s work on photon emission from the brain, the cell membrane in particular, bioluminescence in living organisms, including krill and dinoflagellates, both of which produce Omega-3 (Hu & Wu, 2011; Lonetree & Miller, 2011-13; Viva Labs, nd; Volk, 2012;).
Psychedelics. Compare the effects of high-dose Omega-3 to psychedelics and other mind-altering substances that people use to facilitate psi. Could this be a slower-acting, but ultimately healthier, more sustainable, more integrated path to psi?
Nationality. Can we link national fish consumption with national psychicness? According to FAO statistics for 1995, of 38 countries, Iceland, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, and Finland had the highest fish consumption, in that order, with Iceland being the highest (Hibbeln et al., 2006). However, cross-national surveys on psychic experience yield mixed results (Haraldsson, E., 1985; Haraldsson, 2011).
The eminent Icelandic psychic researcher Erlendur Haraldsson, Ph.D. points out that Italy and the US actually score higher in an international survey of psychic experience in Europe and the US, with Iceland third. So, it might be possible to say that Iceland is *among* the most psychic nations (Haraldsson, personal communication, 11 July 2013).
Unfortunately, the Inuits’ traditional diet, which was off the charts for Omega-3 consumption, is no more.
There may be too many variables at the national level for Omega-3 consumption via fish to unequivocally predict psychic experience, but it would be nice to look into it further.
Field effects and frequencies. In this essay, we’ve looked briefly at brainwaves and morphic fields. What other field effects and frequencies might the Omega-3 molecules, algae, and the human brain (and heart and enteric brain) have and how might they interrelate? Does Omega-3 facilitate synchronization of brainwaves globally or between particular areas of the brain?
According to the Cemi field theory of biologist Johnjoe McFadden, Ph.D. and neurophysiologist Susan Pockett, Ph.D., neuronal activity both causes an EM field and is affected by that EM field and others. The more synchronous the firing of neurons, the bigger the influence of the EM field. They propose that the EM field is the seat of consciousness (machineslikeus.com, 2011; Wiki). What effect does Omega-3 have on this EM field?
The discussion of Omega-3’s psi-facilitative effects definitely must be extended to include the heart. The heart generates the largest electromagnetic field of the body, and can be measured several feet away. Its electrical field is 60 times greater in amplitude and 5000 times greater in strength than the brain’s electrical field (Holle, 2012; Heartmath, 2012). And perhaps the mostly widely accepted and researched aspect of Omega-3 is how it benefits the cardiovascular system. For example, a meta-analysis of 15 studies showed that Omega-3 supplementation may favorably influence the variability of frequency in heart beat and enhance vagal tone (which calms the heart) (Xin et al., 2013). How might Omega-3 facilitate psi via its effects on the heart?
It also would be interesting to explore the implications of the fact that specific sound or light frequencies will either kill specific strains of algae or promote their growth, thus determining Omega-3 production (Hutchinson, nd.; Park & Lee, 2000; sofchem.fr). What might this reveal about the frequencies that impact Omega-3 molecules in the brain and how that impacts psi? We know cell phones, power stations, geomagnetism, God helmets, and the acoustics of ancient temples affect the brain and / or psi.
Reality shift. It may be that changing your brain literally changes external reality around you, not just your experience of or relationship to reality. This may work via some sort of field effect or through morphic resonance or the holographic nature of the mind / brain and universe. Therefore, changing the brain with Omega-3 supplementation might change reality around you.
Teilhard de Chardin. Synchronistically, the philosopher, priest, and polymath Teilhard de Chardin coined the term “the Omega point…to describe a maximum level of complexity and consciousness towards which he believed the universe was evolving” (Wiki). His concept has some interesting features in common with the role of the Omega-3 molecules. Both undergird evolution; permit great organismic complexity; and unite creation (Wiki). It might be fruitful to explore the synchronicity further.
EEG omega complexity. In another synchronicity, “omega” is the term used for brain electrical complexity or spatial de-synchronizaton or dissimilarity (Dauwels et al., 2010). When an EEG shows that signals in an area of the brain are the same, the omega complexity is low. When an EEG shows that signals in an area of the brain are dissimilar, the omega complexity is high.
For example, one study showed that omega complexity in healthy subjects is higher in the right hemisphere waking and lower when asleep (Szelenberger et al., 1996). Another study showed that women who had strong belief in the paranormal had more hemispheric symmetry of omega complexity during an eyes-closed period than non-believers (Pizzagalli et al., 2000).
It’s not necessarily the case that high synchronization is good and high complexity is bad. For example, one study found lower omega complexity globally and in the right hemisphere in people with sleep apnea, which the researchers attributed to chronic hypoxia (Toth et al., 2009).
Surprisingly, one study looked at practitioners of five different meditation traditions -- Tibetan Buddhist, Qigong, Shaja Yoga, Ananda Marga Yoga, and Zen. In all five traditions, omega complexity was higher during meditation than during task free resting. This means that meditation led to a brain functional state that was characterized by an increase of independent brain processes (Faber et al., 2011).
It would be interesting to explore whether there is any correlation between Omega-3 consumption and increased or decreased omega complexity globally or in particular brain areas, and also to look at particular brainwave frequencies.
Health challenges of mediums. Historically, some psychics and mediums have had a lot of physical health problems or weight gain. Might their psi faculties be depleting or stressing their physical systems, causing endocrine or metabolic imbalance, and might supplementation with Omega-3 mitigate these adverse consequences of psi?
Kundalini. Kundalini awakenings range from the fairly easy to the extremely difficult. Rapid neurological re-wiring may be part of what transpires in a Kundalini awakening. Kundalini is a natural evolutionary potential that is supposed to be self-directing and self-healing. In the last few decades, the extremely skewed dietary Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio worldwide is contributing to the global burden of disease. The skewed ratio also may be making it harder for Kundalini to be as self-healing as it was historically. Might supplementation with Omega-3 mitigate the adverse consequences of this dietary imbalance and restore the body’s innate ability to integrate Kundalini?
Neurological injury & psi opening. Finally, there is substantial anecdotal evidence linking neurological injury and psychic opening. The brain automatically produces fatty acids, including the Omega-3 DHA, after stroke or head injury. Is this endogenous production of Omega-3 part of the link between brain damage and psychic opening? Neurological injury does not always lead to greater psi, and is clearly sometimes too disabling. Might Omega-3 supplementation move the neurological damage / change from the chaos zone to the Goldilocks Zone, permitting not only rehabilitation of conventional faculties but expansion of psi faculties?
Ancient peoples around the world recognized the link between Omega-3-rich fish and physical health, mental health, happiness, prosperity, fertility, and luck. They also linked fish with mystical, occult, or esoteric knowledge or abilities. In the ancient teaching stories, fish often represent the transformation of matter into spirit.
Many traditions would say that fish and algae and the Omega-3 molecules each have a spirit which we can call upon to help us in our healing and growth. Omega-3 is an “ancient nutrient,” (Bradbury, 2011, p. 546) which both takes us back to our foundation and makes possible our evolution. It makes us more whole, more who we are supposed to be, and it does this by converting our very cells from ice-like rigidity to water- or even steam-like fluidity and interpermeability with the Universe.
My personal experience with Omega-3 and psi
I have updosed on Omega-3 four times. The first time, around late 2005 or early 2006, I went from zero to 1800 mg EPA / DHA in order to address neurological damage from a prescription medication. I don’t remember what effect this had on me. The fourth, most recent time, is too recent to say what the effect is.
The second time was from September 2009 to January 2010, when I slowly updosed from 1800 mg to 4,600 mg. I saw a huge increase in synchronicities, and a smaller increase in precognitions, and the two most impressive clairvoyant dreams I’ve ever had – one informing me that a healer I had previously consulted had died, which turned out to have just happened three weeks prior, and one referring me to a specific article with author and topic which, as far as I know, was not cryptomnesia. Although I was still very sick with neurological damage, I started having sporadic experiences of Flow, of things falling into place very easily and magically.
The third time was from November 2012 to February 2013, when I slowly updosed from 4,600 mg to 9,000 mg. I had a stunning increase in psi – jaw-dropping synchronicities, precognitive dreams, and my first experiences of guidance in the form of short phrases said in a kind of neutral voice in my head (my own voice but not my own thought) and giving me ideas that were really unfamiliar to me.
It’s also worth mentioning that during my extremely challenging taper off the toxic medication in 2004 and half of 2005, I often awoke in Fish Pose or Matsyasana which is supposed to have many health benefits that overlap with those of fish oil.
Of course, I am “an N of 1” and there are significant confounds. I am starting with a brain damaged by a prescription medication, and there is ample anecdotal evidence that neurological damage can initiate a psi opening. But, my hypothesis is that neurological damage sometimes creates a psi opening that is too chaotic to use, and that some kind of help is needed to channel or organize the psi impressions.
I am concerned about how people might use this information. Note that this is highly speculative, and I do not actually have much experience yet with high dose Omega-3. In other words, I don’t know what I’m talking about! :)
Omega-3 is a pretty safe substance, but it is not safe for every kind of health problem. Please do lots of your own research and consult with people you respect before you decide to try it. I especially recommend the information on this website –
Note that Omega-3 is not the same thing as fish oil. Fish oil contains Omega-3. For some reason, fish oil bottles list the mg of fish oil, which is a useless number. Ignore that. The amount of Omega-3 in a fish oil capsule is the sum of the EPA and DHA. And, you have to check what “suggested serving” that’s for – 1, 2 or 3 pills -- to determine how much is in one pill.
If you are going to try it, it is probably smartest to take one capsule of about 500 mg EPA + DHA, and wait two weeks to see how you react to it. If all goes well, stay at that sane pace, and go up by one capsule every two weeks, always assessing the impact on you. Be sensible and take good care of yourself.
If you or anyone you know has taken high-dose Omega-3 (9,000 mg / day EPA + DHA or more), please contact me.
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