For my blog this week I will be discussing the topic of the phantom limb instead of addressing a question. For those that do not know, the phantom limb syndrome is described as the ability to feel sensations and pain in limbs that no longer exist. People perceive that they can feel temperature, itch, touch, and vibration as well as painful sensations such as burning and shooting pain. It was first described in 1552 by a french surgeon who claimed that the people he amputated complained that they continued to feel pain where their limb was previously present. Researchers found that neuroplasticity or the ability of neurons to modify their behavior results in this phenomenon. Local brain regions involved in map neuroplasticity can gain access to the unused areas of the brain. The rewiring of these neurons can open result in pain when other signals are sent to areas of the brain, creating the sensation of pain where there is no limb. In addition, the pain may also be the result of damaged nerve endings. Typically, it is a chronic issue that leads to pain as a result of brain changes.
Around ninety five percent of amputee patients experience phantom limb syndrome, and 10% of these people feel pain from an amputated limb. Oftentimes, this pain is initiated by the amputee in which they scratch, rub, or pinch their scar, disturbing the neurons. In addition, amputees of the fingers and palms often experience higher rates of this phenomenon. It has also been discovered that the corpus callosum that connects the cortical areas responsible for movement and sensation loses part of its function. There is a functional imbalance within the corpus callosum of the brain within those experiencing phantom limb phenomenon.
People without missing limbs can still experience this phenomenon. Patients had their left arm hidden and viewed a fake hand. By stroking their real hand with a paintbrush at the same time they stroked the fake hand, the patients began to believe that the fake hand was their real hand. When a stabbing motion is made towards the fake hand many people experienced serious stress as a result. Patients will transfer the sensation of their hand to wherever they believe the sensation to be coming from even if it is in empty space. The brain uses different senses including vision, touch, and signals from the arm to experience this illusion, and this same mechanism is used to experience phantom pain. In addition, people have reported that they can even experience phantom nipplies, appendix pains, and menstrual cramps. Despite not using a limb many people can still experience phantom pain. For next weeks blog I hope to discuss lucid dreaming or the phenomenon of having a photographic memory.
Livingston, Kenneth E. “The Phantom Limb Syndrome. A Discussion of the Role of Major Peripheral Nerve Neuromas in: Journal of Neurosurgery Volume 2 Issue 3 (1945).” Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group, 24 Oct. 2018, thejns.org/view/journals/j-neurosurg/2/3/article-p251.xml.
“Phantom Pain.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 30 Oct. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phantom-pain/symptoms-causes/syc- 20376272?page=0&citems=10.
“Even Non-Amputees Can Feel a Phantom Limb.” LiveScience, Purch, www.livescience.com /28694-non-amputees-feel-phantom-limb.html.
This is sooo strange to me.. to be able to feel something that isn’t there??? The brain is such a strong thing. I tried to understand it to be like when one of your limbs “fall asleep” but you can still feel it there but you FEEL that you CAN’T “feel” it. I liked this topic, it was interesting, I would have never known about it otherwise.
This was very interesting, kinda hard to wrap my head around though. Like how is it possible to feel something that isn’t tangible? Maybe it’s like muscle memory?
I actually know someone who has phantom limb syndrome. It is very sad but she goes through different therapies like acupuncture and a whole bunch of other stuff. However, I didn’t realize that we could experience it even with all our limbs intact! Human brains are so strange but very interesting.
I was never aware of such a syndrome. Your research on it reinforces my belief of just how amazing the human body is, especially in relation to its interaction with empty space. It would be very interesting to research this sensation further to examine whether these physically defiant “feelings’ are purely psychological or could have implications for human signal production and response beyond the body. Indeed numerous studies have claimed the potential veracity of telepathy and telekinesis, so the sensations you describe could imply quasi-supernatural abilities. As an electrical engineering major, this is very compelling to me.
I read about this a while ago. It is such a strange and interesting topic.