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An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

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linking <strong>the</strong> psychic/mythological <strong>and</strong> somatic spheres (Frecska 1989). Brain opioidsystems provide neuro-chemical mediation <strong>of</strong> social bonding. Frecska suggested thatshamanic healing <strong>practices</strong> utilize complex forms <strong>of</strong> opioid-mediated attachment topromote psychobiological synchrony within <strong>the</strong> group, reinforcing identification <strong>and</strong><strong>the</strong> internalization <strong>of</strong> social relations.Some doctors prescribe an exercise with music programmes arguing that this is moreeffective than medication for <strong>the</strong> depressed patient such as flouxetine hydrochloride(prozac) 6 which takes two weeks for <strong>the</strong> patient to experience any significant reduction<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir depression. Lynch (2004) <strong>and</strong> Linnett (2005) both reject <strong>the</strong> traditional medicalapproach to depression <strong>and</strong> view it as an emotional, <strong>spiritual</strong> <strong>and</strong> existential crisis. Itbeing a <strong>spiritual</strong> crisis (a cry for <strong>spiritual</strong> help), <strong>the</strong>y suggest that <strong>spiritual</strong> interventioncan be <strong>of</strong> some benefit to <strong>the</strong> sufferer from depression or one with a depressive illness.However <strong>the</strong>y stress that music <strong>and</strong> <strong>spiritual</strong> intervention should not replace medicalintervention <strong>and</strong> drugs where necessary.Much <strong>of</strong> this literature is summed up by Whitehouse <strong>and</strong> Macauley (2005), whopostulate four distinct ways in which our brain responds to music as cognitive,affective, personal <strong>and</strong> transpersonal. In o<strong>the</strong>r words we respond to music by feeling <strong>the</strong>music with our emotions (cognitive, affective), by noticing <strong>the</strong> effect on our heart rate<strong>and</strong> breathing (physical) <strong>and</strong> feeling <strong>the</strong> connection with God (transpersonal) thoughmusic. The senses are activated by a stimulus in <strong>the</strong> sense organs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> skin, ears, eyes,6 Prozac is classified as an antidepressant with a selective inhibitor <strong>of</strong> serotonin re-uptake(BMA/BPS2009). It also has mood enhancing properties. It has no affinity to o<strong>the</strong>r receptors <strong>and</strong> isabsorbed well after oral administration. Peak plasma concentration is reached in 6-8 hours <strong>and</strong> it isstrongly bound to plasma protein. Steady state plasma concentration is achieved after ingesting <strong>the</strong> drugfor several weeks as prescribed. It is extensively metabolised in <strong>the</strong> liver to nor-fluxotene <strong>and</strong> a number<strong>of</strong> identified metabolites, which are excreted in <strong>the</strong> urine (MIMS Nurses 2007, BMA/BPS 2009).288

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