November 2007

Perspectives on the mental impulse

by Dr. Christopher Kent

The mental impulse, as described by the Palmers, is not synonymous with Innate Intelligence or the neurochemical action potential. It is a "thought" which may be expressed through a variety of neurobiological mechanisms. The term "mental impulse" was used by D.D. Palmer in his 1910 text. Palmer [1] wrote, "Chiropractors do not treat diseases, they adjust the wrong which creates disease; they have discovered the simple fact that the human body is a sensitive piece of machinery, run throughout all its parts by mental impulse...A mental impulse is an incitement of the mind by Innate or spirit, in the form of an abrupt and vivid suggestion, prompting some unpremeditated action or leading to unforeseen knowledge or insight."

Milus [2] stated, "The concept of 'Innate Intelligence' is a fundamental component of chiropractic philosophy as developed by D.D. Palmer... B.J. Palmer modified the concept, popularizing a more materialistic notion of Innate that effectively equated it with 'mental impulses.'" Yet, B.J. Palmer clearly differentiated Innate Intelligence from mental impulse. According to B.J. Palmer [3], "Mental impulse is that accumulation of immaterial units of intellectual energy which, after having been absorbed, transformed and expelled thru the brain, Innate Intelligence deems of proper quantity and quality to personify specific characteristic functions." B.J. Palmer [4] clearly stated that, "My Innate Intelligence is not God..."

Describing the nature of the mental impulse has been a formidable challenge to students of chiropractic. Early authors were limited by the basic science knowledge and technology of the time. For example, Stephenson [5] wrote, "We might conceive of this mental impulse as being composed of certain kinds of physical energies, in proper proportions, which will balance other such forces in the Tissue Cell; as electricity, valency, magnetism, cohesion, etc., etc.. Perhaps some of these energies are not known to us in physics. What right have we to assume that we have found them all? The writer presents this as a hypothesis or theory in order to get a working basis...It is no discredit to Chiropractic that it must also use theories concerning the transmission of mental forces."

Furthermore, Stephenson [6] noted, "The mental impulse is not an energy at all. It is a message. A message is not a material, an energy, or a thing physical in any sense...Mentality makes it and sends it to an object of matter."

In his last written text, B.J. Palmer [7] articulated the physical manifestation of the mental impulse, which he termed "nerve‑force flow." Although the action potential is one manifestation of the expression of the mental impulse, it seems that the developer had a broader concept in mind: "The brain‑nerve‑body, body‑nerve‑brain material system through which flowed an intangible, unseen, abstract, difficult to prove that there was a 'something' very powerful, dynamic, without which we would be dead matter."

Physiologist Hewitt [8] proposed a classification of physical mechanisms associated with signaling in the human body:

1. Diffusion of particles along concentration gradients.

2. Diffusion of quanta along electromagnetic gradients.

3. Circulation within structured channels.

4. Wave propagation.

These physical mechanisms are operative in both linear, synaptic processes and non‑linear, non‑synaptic processes. As an example of a non‑synaptic mechanism of neurologically mediated communications, consider the neuropeptide network.

Pert [9,10] and associates described a "psychosomatic network" composed of neuropeptides. It has been postulated that the neuropeptide‑receptor system is a bidirectional communication system between the nervous system and immune system, as immunocytes produce neuropeptides and nerve cells produce immune‑associated cytokines. Pert describes this system as "parasynaptic." [11]

Neuropeptides are short chains of amino acids. The dorsal horn of the spinal cord is richly endowed with neuropeptide receptors. Since the dorsal horn is where sensory information from the periphery makes synaptic contact with the central nervous system, it is noteworthy that a non‑synaptic or "parasynaptic" mechanism shares the same anatomical locus.

Boone and Dobson [12] described a model of vertebral subluxation which includes interference to action potential and interference to mental impulse. The non‑synaptic mechanisms include axoplasmic flow, volume transmission, ephapsis, field effects, and peptide messengers.

The mental impulse, as described by the Palmers, is not synonymous with Innate Intelligence or the neurochemical action potential. It is a "thought" which may be expressed through a variety of neurobiological mechanisms. These mechanisms include synaptic and non‑synaptic processes.

References

1. Palmer DD: "Textbook of the Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic." Portland, OR. Portland Printing House Company, 1910. Pages 85 and 109.

2. Milus T: "The state of Innate." Topics in Clinical Chiropractic 1995;2(2):45.

3. Palmer BJ: "The Science of Chiropractic." Davenport, IA. The Palmer School of Chiropractic, 1920. Page 28.

4. Ibid. Page 45.

5. Stephenson RW: "Chiropractic Textbook." Davenport, IA. The Palmer School of Chiropractic, 1948 edition. Pages 268, 269 and 292.

6. Ibid. Page 294.

7. Palmer BJ: "Our Masterpiece." Davenport, IA. The Palmer School of Chiropractic, 1961. Page 6.

8. Hewitt WF: "Somatic aspects of applied physiology." In Hoag JG (ed): "Osteopathic Medicine." McGraw‑Hill Book Company. New York. 1969.

9. Pert CB, Ruff MR, Weber RJ, Herkenham M: "Neuropeptides and their receptors: a psychosomatic network." J Immunol 1985;35(2):820s.

10. Pert CB: "The wisdom of the receptors: neuropeptides, the emotions, and bodymind." Advances 1986;3(3):8.

11. Pert CB, Dreher HE, Ruff MR: "The psychosomatic network: foundations of mind‑body medicine." Alternative Therapies 1998;4(4):30.

12. Boone WR, Dobson GJ: "A proposed vertebral subluxation model reflecting traditional concepts and recent advances in health and science." Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research 1996;1(1):19.

(Dr. Christopher Kent, president of the Council on Chiropractic Practice, is a 1973 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. The WCA's "Chiropractic Researcher of the Year" in 1994, and recipient of that honor from the ICA in 1991, he was also named ICA "Chiropractor of the Year" in 1998. He is director of research and a co‑founder of Chiropractic Leadership Alliance. An attorney as well as a chiropractor, Dr. Kent is a member of the California bar. With Dr. Patrick Gentempo, Jr., Dr. Kent produces a monthly audio series, "On Purpose," covering current events in science, politics and philosophy of vital interest to the practicing chiropractor. For subscription information call 800‑892‑6463.)