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| HOW DOES HOMEOPATHY WORK?
By Brian R. Connelly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Conclusions on Remedy Preparation and Potency The Function of Succussion The succussion process is very much more than a trivial way of mixing up the solution at each stage of dilution. When one looks at what is known today about the physical chemistry of water, and when you factor in what is known about stage-wise separation processes (“fractionation”), succussion (combined with interstage dilution) could play a significant part in the preparation of remedies and is a rational explanation of “higher” remedy potency at “higher” dilutions. A frequent objection raised from the ‘ultra-dilutionist’ viewpoint is that very few of the original tincture molecules exist in the solution above 12c potency. In this model, none of the original tincture molecules are required to be present, hence the so-called Avogadro limit of the solute (remedy) is completely irrelevant. How do air dried pillules carry the remedy? Remedy stability on the lactose surface does need some explaining. And further research. We need to show how the remedy ‘information’ is preserved. One possibility lies, perhaps, in the ever-pervasive thin water film on any cool surface exposed to air. Since the water solvation process is probably a reversible exchange with the –OH groups on the lactose surface, one might expect some ‘etching’ of the cluster geometries on the lactose (or sucrose) lattice. The clusters are stable, the lactose is stable, so it's reasonable that the thin film of clusters reversably bonded to the lactose surface (and diffused into it) would be stable also. This could preserve the unique informational characteristics of the remedy for, perhaps, quite a long time. Maybe even for 150 years, as some practitioners have found. Either by popping a pill into the mouth or by dropping it into water first, the saliva or water will instantly dissolve/resolvate the cluster film and restore the original cluster isomers. “Plussing” a remedy by dropping the pillule in water and succussing between doses effectively raises the potency, ie. concentration of clusters in the mix. Note that alcohol has –OH groups too, just like any sugar such as lactose, so it can act as a stabilizer or preservative for the remedy. What are the implications for the Materiae Medica? If the above explanation of the potentizing process is thought to be reasonable, then our way of organizing the materia medica probably needs to be changed. The Banerji family (see above) may be pointing the way. Over a 30-year period, they have experimented with groups of up to 100 patients each, using each remedy at a given potency and have concluded that the same remedy got clearly different actions when used in different potencies. Therefore any new provings (or reprovings) should perhaps look at sub-sets of specific potencies for a given remedy, instead of trying to discern a fuzzy master-set of symptoms. Note that the overall remedy “pictures” in the Materiae Medica often include opposite symptoms! What is the relationship between the ‘Vital Force’ and the symptom-remedy? Today, we already know that clustered water is bio-active. For example, (Pertsemlidis, 1998) found that the geometry of the water cluster helps amino acids fold themselves in the proper fashion to make functional proteins. But this is not necessarily the only way that the water clusters can affect the organism if we examine Hahnemann’s concept of the ‘vital force’ (or ‘life force’). “The totality of these symptoms is the outwardly reflected image of the inner Wesen of the disease, that is, of the suffering of the life force.” (§ 7 Organon 6th edn) This is Hahnemann's homeostatic action–reaction model. The mistunement of the life force is the disease that must be cured. This Vital Force concept is the biological equivalent of the industrial temperature controller, which is a mechanical or electrical device that compares an actual temperature (input) to an ideal “normal” temperature setting (set-point). Then the controller (via internal tunable response settings) initiates control action (output) to minimize the difference. For example, the controller may open a steam valve (output) to heat up a hot water storage tank if the water gets too cold. If this temperature controller encounters an abnormally large drop in temperature, the human operator can accelerate the corrective action by momentarily “bumping” the temperature setting up . The controller will exaggerate its correcting output to the system and drive the temperature faster towards its correct setting. If the “simillimum” remedy provides a similar ‘symptom bump’ to the Vital Force, then the organism will approach the healthy homeostasis much faster too. Of course, if we bump the controller too much (dose too high) we’ll get an ‘aggravation’ of temperature initially, coupled later (due to controller reaction) with rebound the other way (a secondary action) where temperature drops too low (the opposite symptom). So if we assume that the behavior of the Vital Force finds its exact analog in the industrial controller model, particularly since we can extend the model to a network of “cascaded” control systems, we find a likely reason why the materia medicae lump together apparently polar or opposite symptoms for the larger remedies, since the provings use differing doses, dosing schedules and potencies. Now, if the tunable control response settings within the controller itself start to drift, then it may no longer be able to maintain temperature control at the desired homeostatic equilibrium. This results in a bias away from the desired homeostatic state. This kind of mistunement finds its biological equivalent in the miasm. The controller needs to have its internal response settings ‘tweaked’ by the human mechanic so that stable and accurate control of the temperature is regained, whereas in the organism we need to ‘tweak’ the control ‘settings’ by using the appropriate miasmatic remedy. Of course, this explanation still begs the following question: What is the biological representation of the ‘vital force’? Together with the mathematician Roger Penrose of Cambridge, (Hameroff, 2001) has sought a physical–biological explanation of consciousness.
Figure 7. Penrose-Hameroff Model of Microtubule Structure in Neurons These researchers have proposed that microtubules in our brain are the seat of our conscious mind and consist of quantum microswitches (protein qubits) which contain ‘pure’ ordered water. This ordered water can be in either of two quantum states or in a third transition state (see Figure 7 above). Microtubules are components of the cytoskeleton that surrounds every cell of the organism. They have even been discovered in animal fossils. The microtubules (see Fig. 8) interconnect every cell in a multicellular organism, possibly being the means to extend the brain's consciousness throughout the entire body. It explains why we have mind-body interactions, such as psychosomatic pain.
Fig. 8 The extensive distribution of microtubules can really be appreciated in the light microscope after immunolabeling for tubulin with fluorescein-labeled antibodies. This micrograph shows cells in culture labeled for tubulin. The labeling is so fine, the small microtubules can be delineated. Figure 8 shows that microtubules permeate the cells and the entire internal milieu of the organism in an interconnected network. This is exactly analagous to an industrial “cascaded” control network where control loops at a low level in the process have their ideal settings controlled by higher loops which, in turn, are controlled by even higher loops in the cascade. In the microtubule network, information flows both up and down the network in similar fashion. Hameroff and others think that just about every aspect of health and disease is related at some level to consciousness, and in every mammalian system, the microtubules are essential. They suggest that we consider the macrophages and lymphocytes of the immune system— and find that the recognition, amplification, mobility and engulfment of foreign invaders all occur by the direction of the microtubule network. They also note that there are many papers about the role of the cell cytoskeleton in genome regulation in cancer. Also, there is ample evidence for the fact that the internal microtubules of the cell control mitosis (cell division), regulate the genes, decides which genes to turn on, and so forth, not only in terms of differentiation in development, but also in health and in the steady state. They believe that consciousness, the microtubules and quantum coherence play essential roles in health and disease. Conclusions So how do the water cluster model and the microtubule network relate to homeopathy? First, such a biological network offers all the action/reaction properties that Hahnemann observed in his concept of the homeostatic Vital Force. Second, we know from experience that we are able to apply a homeopathic remedy containing our bioactive species anywhere on the body to affect and retune the Vital Force. This also is in accord with the concept of a biologically interconnected network. Third, we know that Mental symptoms are often important in selecting a remedy. The microtubule network seems to explain the mind-body connection. Fourth, we know that the microtubule network is made up of proteins which require specific configurations with water molecules, i.e. water clusters, in order to create themselves in the proper geometry and make the network function. If there is an error in this function, it will express itself as a disease symptom and may propagate attunement error to other parts of the microtubule network to express further errors/disease symptoms. As the disease progresses, we would expect to see the symptom “layers” that one method of homeopathy attempts to treat in reverse order. (Which is also reminiscent of Hering’s Law). Lastly, Hameroff notes that the quantum state of the microtubule’s elemental building block (the qubit in Fig. 7) can be altered by an “ordered” water structure attached to the external side of the microtubule. If so, then we have an explanation of the effect of the water cluster remedy on the microtubule. The water cluster (or clusters), that are specific to the problem, simply throws the right switch (or switches) to correct the error in the network. Unfortunately. the work being done on protein nanochemistry is in its very early stages and seems to be focussed, at present, in directions other than the fundamental role that water plays. In fact, one specialist in the field told me recently that water “was a bit of a nuisance” in delineating theoretical models. Meanwhile, it will be fascinating to see someone attempt the research to see how homeopathic water cluster preparations specifically affect isolated functions of the microtubule control network, perhaps along the lines of Buehler’s work with centriole clusters of microtubules (Buehler, 2002). REFERENCES NOTE: Some of the website references below have become outdated but can be retrieved from the www archives at : http://web.archive.org/ Andersson, 1997. P.U Andersson, A. Tomsic, M.B. Andersson, and J.B.C. Pettersson, “Emission of small fragments during water cluster collisions with graphite surface” Chem. Phys. Lett. 279 (1997) 100-106. http://www.phc.gu.se/~nagard/clustera.htm (See also Scattering of water from graphite: Simulations and experiments Anick, 1998. “Stable Zwitterionic Water Complexes: The Active Ingredient in Homeopathy?” David J. Anick, Ph.D., M.D. Presented in part at the 4th Scientific Symposium of the Homeopathic Research Network, Washington, DC, November 14-15, 1998. Also in the Fall issue of Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy (JAIH), 1999. Banerji, 1985. Banerji, P. “Principle of Quick Selection of Drugs and Potencies Established by Clinical Trials.” Presented and published in the Proceedings of 40e Congress De La Ligue Medicale Homoeopathique Internationale Lyon - France - 26-30 Mai, 1985. Beneviste, 1999. J. Benveniste, J. Aïssa, and D. Guillonnet. “The Molecular Signal is not Functional in the Absence of Informed Water.” Abstract FASEB Journal, 1999, vol. 13, p. A163) http://www.digibio.com/cgi-bin/node.pl?nd=n9 Blakeslee, 2001. Sarah Blakeslee. “Science's Elusive Realm: Life's Little Mysteries”, Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company, April 24, 2001. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/24/health/24LIFE.html?ex=991637139&ei=1&en=dfd4cac4ad6c3e03 Buehler, 2002. Guenter Albrecht-Buehler . “Are microtubules the 'nerves' of the cell? “ (and other page links). http://www.basic.nwu.edu/g-buehler/contents.htm#cont3 Borland, 1939. Borland, Douglas M.: Pneumonias . Pamphlet published by the The British Homoeopathic Association, 76 pages, 1939. Demangeat, 2001. Demangeat J.L. and Poitevin B, "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: Let's consolidate the ground before getting excited!", British Homeoepathic Journal (2001), 90, 2-4, Nature Publishing Group Hameroff, 2001. Website of Stuart Hameroff MD, Professor, Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychology, Associate Director, Center for Consciousness Studies, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona: http://www.consciousness.arizona.edu/hameroff Jongma, 1998. Rienk T. Jongma, Yuhui Huang, Shiming Shi, and Alec M. Wodtke, “Rapid evaporative cooling is a way to suppress fragmentation in mass spectrometry: Synthesis of unprotonated water clusters”, J. Phys. Chem. A102:8847-8854 (1998), http://www2.chem.ucsb.edu/~wodtkelab/viewpdf.jpg Little, 1997-2001. Private communications between David Little and the author on the “homeopathy@lyghtforce.com” email list. See archives at: http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?In=homeopathy Milgrom, 2001. Milgrom L R, King K R, Lee J, Pinkus A S (2001) "On the investigation of homeopathic potencies using low resolution NMR T2 relaxation times: an experimental and critical survey of the work of Roland Conte et al", British Homeoepathic Journal 2001 90, 5-13, Nature Publishing Group. Pertsemlidis, 1998. A. Pertsemlidis, A. M. Saxena, A. K. Soper, T. Head-Gordon, and R. M. Glaeser. “Direct evidence for modified solvent structure within the hydration shell of a hydrophobic amino acid.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 93(20), 1998, p.10769-10774. http://innovation.swmed.edu/~pertsemlidis/WaterANDProteinFolding-N.html Sharma, 1990. Sharma, R.R. “Molecular Basis of Homoeopathy.” Homeopathy International, May 1990, 16-19. Wisniewski, 2001. E. S. Wisniewski, D. E. Folmer, A. W. Castleman Jr., “Spectroscopic studies of cluster species.” Final Program #383, PHYS Fall 2000 Technical Program, 222nd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, ILL, Aug 26-30, 2001. Yui, 2000. Yui, Hiroharu , Ph.D., “Analysis of Hydrogen Bonding Structure around Hydrophobic Cores in Ethanol Water Solution Using Laser Induced Excess Electron-Stimulated Raman Scattering Technique”, PacifiChem 2000, Honolulu, Hawaii, December 14-19, 2000. FIGURES FIG.1 Typical water cluster isomers. Chaplin, M. F., (2000) A proposal for the structuring of water. Biophys. Chem., 83 (3), 211-221. See Chaplin’s website at: http://www.martin.chaplin.btinternet.co.uk/index.html FIG.2 Photo of a Laser induced cavitation bubble imploding. Suslick, K.S., "The Chemical Effects of Ultrasound", Scientific American, Feb 1989, pp. 80 - 86. FIG. 3 Mass Spectrum of Water cluster size vs deflection frequency Garching FT-ICR Laboratory Lehrstuhl II für Physikalische Chemie der Technischen Universität München http://verona.phys.chemie.tu-muenchen.de/projects/icr/water.highscore.web.jpg FIG. 4 Dose Size versus Water Cluster Size Range As a Function of Potency. Illustration by author. FIG 5 & 6 also by the author. FIG. 7 Penrose-Hameroff Model of Microtubule Structure See (Hameroff, 2001). FIG. 8 This micrograph shows cells in culture labeled for tubulin 1996 Gwen V. Childs, Ph.D. http://cellbio.utmb.edu/cellbio/microtubule_structure.htm Born in Scotland, the son of a homeopathic physician, Brian R. Connelly MS,MBA,LMHC trained as a chemical engineer at Imperial College, London. Several years later in the USA, after selling his industrial control systems company, he went back to college to train for retirement as a psychotherapist. Along the way of self-study, he discovered the late Dr Edward C. Whitmont’s books, attended one of Whitmont’s last weekend seminars in Vermont, and rediscovered an interest in homeopathy. He practises privately as a licensed counselor and therapist in Topsfield, MA and maintains a website at: http://home.attbi.com/~brc17/ [END] --- Previous
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