In the previous two posts I’ve discussed neuroplasticity as a concept and Schwartz’s methodology for treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In this post I’ll look at the five steps to Schwartz’s underlying theory:

1) The OCD circuit locks up, firing the same message over and over. Schwartz doesn’t provide any firm answers why this happens but he’s supported by a good amount of science when arguing the “locking” metaphor is reasonably accurate.

2) The therapist encourages the patient to come up with an alternate idea, for example, rather than washing their hands they could go work in the garden. This idea activates the planning circuits in the prefrontal cortex. Initially this circuit will be considerably weaker than the circuit represented by the OCD enabled idea. As mentioned in the first post the relative strength of the circuits is partially determined by which circuit has fired more and, perhaps more importantly, which circuit has received more attention.

It is the next three steps that represent a radical departure from standard neuropsychiatry.

3) Here Schwartz focuses on the nerve terminal of the neurons in both the “wash hands” as well as “go to the garden” circuits. He points out the size of this part of the neurons (the ion channel) where neuro-transmitters cross, activating or suppressing the target neuron’s receptors is so small, its behavior may be determined by Quantum Mechanic rules. Schwartz argues the vesicle which will either release or not release the neurotransmitter is in a superposition of quantum wave function. Meaning, rather than being solidly in one state or another (release or don’t release), it’s actually in a probability state, both releasing and not releasing at the same time. The cat is both dead and alive.  Now, while it’s true the scale of these structures are small enough to be subject to QM rules, it’s not been proven they are subject to these rules.

4) While the Quantum rules allow for “release” and “don’t release” to co-exist, it’s also true the state representing the OCD compulsion (wash your hands) has a higher probability of being true. This is where Schwartz’s treatment comes into play.

5) By expanding mental effort, focusing their attention on the healthier alternative, the patient utilizes  (in Schwartz’s words) mental force to change the odds and increase the probability of that circuit being activated. This works because of the “Quantum Zeno effect”. Quantum Zeno is an effect, recognized by physicists, that roughly states, if an observer rapidly and repeatedly observes an event, those series of observations can freeze the properties of that event into one state rather than allowing it to change back into a wave function. In effect, Schwartz is arguing, by concentrating on the circuit the patient wants to activate s/he can increase the odds the circuit will be activated. If done enough and with enough attention that circuit will eventually extinguish the OCD circuit.

Schwartz can back up his theories with fMRI and PET scans showing the physical changes to the brain solely based on the patent’s use of these cognitive strategies. In this case it’s the mind that changes the brain, not the other way around. For a scientific materialist this presents quite a problem. If everything comes from matter and only matter can change matter than how is matter changed by simple thought? The ramifications of this theory provide an interesting argument in opposition to reductionist thinking. Perhaps there is not just a brain that gives rise to a sense of a mind, but rather something that exists beyond or in conjunction with the brain. A mind that can change the physical structures of a brain just as the brain can change the mental structures of the mind.

While I’m not knowledgable enough to question all the assumptions underlying this theory I do find it an interesting counterpoint to the more traditional scientific materialism. Needless to say, my three blogs barely do justice to Schwartz and Begley’s book, but hopefully, they’ll encourage you to read the book yourself.