Theories Of Hindu Scientist Vilayanur Ramachandran

Vilayanur Ramachandran is one of the contemporary representatives of neuroscience. His research suggests that many phenomena that occur around us can be explained by the brain.

Due to their charisma, some scientists captivate the public with knowledge. One of them is Vilayanur Ramachandran, a Hindu neurologist, born in 1951. The latter was interested in the mysteries of the human brain from the angle of neuroscience. His studies changed the way we think about the nervous system.

Vilayanur Ramachandran grew up in Tamil Nadu, a city in India, but has spent much of his life abroad for his academic training. He obtained his medical degree from Standley Medical College in India, as well as a doctorate from the University of Cambridge.

Vilayanur Ramachandran is considered one of the contemporary representatives of neuroscience. An area that has gained notable relevance and popularity in recent years.

-Vilayanur Ramachandran-

A man dazzled by the brain

The main question that sparked Ramachandran’s curiosity was how can such a small gelatinous organ be responsible for all of our behavior? From then on, his research aimed at discovering the great mysteries of our nervous system.

Mirror neurons, phantom limbs, and confused sensations are perhaps the topics the author has discussed the most. Let’s take a closer look.

Sleep paralysis according to Vilayanur Ramachandran

Ramachandran did not miss a subject as intriguing as sleep paralysis. During episodes of paralysis, people regain consciousness before regaining the ability to move their muscles (control of the locomotor system). This situation leads to a state of despair in which pseudo-hallucinations related to sleep occur.

Why do hallucinations occur during paralysis?

Floating, the presence of an intruder, voices, and even the ability to see our own body from a distance are the most common hallucinations. According to Ramachandran, the desynchronization between the extremities and the execution motor alters the multisensory processing of the body and therefore the perception of self. This causes the sensation of floating or experiences out of the body.

The phantom limbs

Another topic that captivated Vilayanur Ramachandran is that of ghost members. We are referring here to people who have lost a limb and yet continue to feel it.

Indeed, these people have the feeling that the latter is still there. They therefore present reflex movements and states of confusion in the phantom limb.

Ramachandran’s explanation

According to the author, this phenomenon has an explanation as logical as it is complex. In our parietal lobe, more precisely in the sensorimotor cortex, we have a map of the body where all the nerve endings end.

We know this map as Penfield’s homunculus. It is thanks to it that we are aware of the position and sensations of our own body. When a limb is amputated, its target area in the brain continues to function, sometimes causing the limb to feel like it is still there.

The mirror box experience

Vilayanur Ramachandran carried out an experiment which highlights this phenomenon and which many people today reproduce on social networks. The experiment consists of a box divided in half by a mirror, in which the patient has to put the amputated hand in one side and the normal hand in the other.

When the patient looks in the mirror from the side of his normal hand, the optical illusion is created that the other hand is there. This experience allows us to draw several conclusions:

The importance of visual stimulation. The target brain areas of the missing limb are reactivated when the person receives the visual illusion that their lost limb has returned. Therefore, the subject really feels that his member is there again. He then begins to move the part of the arm that he still has.
The disappearance of pain. People with phantom limbs may experience pain in the missing limb. In the mirror box experiment, the feeling of pain disappeared during the optical illusion.
Rehabilitation of paralysis. Many people lose feeling in their arms after an accident or a head injury. According to Ramachandran, the brain learns to function with the paralyzed arm, which makes rehabilitation difficult.
- This experiment suggests that subjects begin to reactivate lost connections by reactivating certain areas of proprioception and movement in the brain.

Mirror neurons, according to Vilayanur Ramachandran

Mirror neurons are responsible for imitating behavior. These neurons activate when we observe someone perform an action and recreate it by imagining it. They are an essential component of human development. Their role on the emotional level is also today the subject of theorization.

The neurons of empathy

According to Vilayanur Ramachandran, mirror neurons help dilute the barriers between people. Science has shown that these neurons are triggered especially not only when we imitate an action, but also when we perceive an emotional state.

Thanks to them, we can put ourselves in the shoes of the other we see crying. Or feel joy when seeing someone laugh. For this neurologist, the basis of human relationships is found in mirror neurons.

Vilayanur Ramachandran: the Marco Polo of neurosciences

Vilayanur Ramachandran is described by his colleagues as one of the pioneers of neuroscience popularization. Vilayanur Ramachandran’s research suggests that many phenomena that occur around us can be explained by the brain.

Whether it’s seemingly paranormal experiences or the ability to cry upon seeing a friend cry, all of these experiences have a brain basis. His research has undoubtedly marked a before and after in the field of science.