DON'T BELIEVE THE SCIENCE BEHIND "THE SECRET OF SECRETS"
GUEST BLOG / By Betsy Holmberg, PH.d writing in Psychology Today Magazine--Dan Brown’s latest thriller, The Secret of Secrets, follows neuroscientist Katherine Solomon as she reports how low GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, expands consciousness. She states in her research that low levels of GABA enable things like telepathy, remote viewing, and more. She explains that on our deathbeds, we experience a precipitous drop in GABA, revealing to us what lies beyond. Her science leads to a mind-bending cat-and-mouse chase around the most beautiful parts of Prague.
It is a fun and riveting read.
But is it real?
Does lowering GABA levels open the aperture of awareness so we can sense a greater connection to each other and all that this universe is? Like everything Dan Brown writes, it sounds very convincing. And exciting! But unfortunately, the science is wrong.
GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter that hyperpolarizes neurons. GABA mutes neurons, so they are less likely to fire. This produces a calming effect on the brain, helping to reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep.
Our thoughts are also affected by GABA levels. We have two thought networks: first, the default mode network (DMN), which is our internal, automatic network (aka the thoughts that make up our inner monologue), and second, the central executive network (CEN), which is the network we use when we focus on something. For example, when you are in an anxiety spiral and your thoughts are spiraling, you’re listening to your DMN. When you write an email and think through what you want to say, you are using your CEN.
Increased GABA levels correlate with deactivation of the DMN. It helps us turn off our inner monologue so that we can focus better on external tasks and the world around us.
Therefore, low GABA levels don’t lead to expanded consciousness—they actually make us more internally focused. Low GABA makes it impossible to turn off our negative self-talk. When individuals are low in GABA, they tend to experience symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, depression, and even suicidality.
If what you are reading now this leads you to think, “I want more GABA!” Here are a few actions you can take:
1. Eat foods rich in GABA or its precursors. Do a quick search online, and you will find lots of healthy food options that are rich in GABA or its precursor, glutamate, such as spinach, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms.
2. Increase your vitamin B6 intake. B6 is an essential vitamin for converting glutamate into GABA, and many of us do not get enough B vitamins. Supplementation can help us round out our dietary needs.
3. Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol can interfere with GABA-A receptors, making them less effective.
Relatedly, the thought network literature shows that regular alcohol use leads to increased functional connectivity in the DMN, probably in part caused by impairments in GABA activation.
It is a thrilling concept to think that modulating a neurotransmitter could lead to greater awareness and perception. Unfortunately, the science is not there to support it.
Like the rest of his works, Dan Brown’s The Secret of Secrets is an incredibly fun romp. He does a wonderful job bringing to life real cultural and historical places.
Unfortunately, the science he shares in this work is not as real as the history.
***
CRITICAL SNAPSHOTS —
The Guardian--“Weapons-grade nonsense from beginning to end — but irresistible for Brown devotees.”
Washington Post--Brown “clearly had fun writing this,” and the energy carries the book, even through “corny dialogue and cosmic overreach.”
Los Angeles Times--“A dense thriller that doubles as a meditation on consciousness … you’ll want to clear your schedule and just read.”
New York Times--“A wistful testament to the power of the printed word.” Ingenious plotting and pacing, though “hyperactive prose” keeps it from Da Vinci-level resonance.
Kirkus Reviews--“Fast, vivid, and occasionally over-explained.” Commends settings and drive; sighs at “info-dump” detours.
The Telegraph (UK)--“A ludicrous fantasy full of laughable writing — yet oddly fun if you don’t take it seriously.”
The Times (UK)--“Fond of cliché, hyperbole, and mixed metaphors … the first half is fun enough before it drifts into new-age fog.”
The Independent (UK)--“Unavoidably silly, but Brown embraces the silliness with verve — thrillers, not high literature.”
Le Monde (France)--Notes a shift from rationalism to mysticism: “Langdon becomes a believer.” Warns fiction and pseudoscience blur at times.
Bookreporter--“Another instant classic” that “packages complex ideas into page-turning accessibility.”
Book Marks (Aggregator)--Overall verdict: Mixed. Critics agree on brisk pacing; divide over whether the ride justifies the noise.
PillartoPost.org online daily magazine style blog--We agree with Los Angeles Times, Kirkus Reviews and (UK) Times. And, we ask author Brown when will he add a Cast of Characters list to help pull us out of "new age fog." He does provide a map of Prague, however.
No comments:
Post a Comment