THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE Volume 11, Number 6, 2005, pp. 965-971

Evidence for Correlations Between Distant Intentionality and Brain Function in Recipients: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis

JEANNE ACHTERBERG, Ph.D.,1,2KARIN COOKE, B.S., R.N.,1TODD RICHARDS, Ph.D.,3 LEANNA J. STANDISH, N.D., Ph.D.,4LEILA KOZAK, M.S.,4and JAMES LAKE, M.D.5

ABSTRACT This study, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology, demonstrated that distant intentionality (DI), defined as sending thoughts at a distance, is correlated with an activation of certain brain functions in the recipients. Eleven healers who espoused some form for connecting or healing at a distance were recruited from the island of Hawaii. Each healer selected a person with whom they felt a special connection as a recipient for DI. The recipient was placed in the MRI scanner and isolated from all forms of sensory contact from the healer. The healers sent forms of DI that related to their own healing practices at random 2-minute intervals that were unknown to the recipient. Significant differences between experimental (send) and control (no send) procedures were found (p= 0.000127). Areas activated during the experimental procedures included the anterior and middle cingulate area, precuneus, and frontal area. It was concluded that instructions to a healer to make an intentional connection with a sensory isolated person can be correlated to changes in brain function of that individual.