Emerging Research in Neuroplasticity, Healing & Human Potential

One of Trish’s professional interests is exploring emerging research in neuroplasticity and healing, and translating complex ideas into practical applications that support healing, growth, resilience, and relational & emotional well-being.

Her work is informed by developments across psychology, neuroscience, trauma recovery, spirituality, and the study of human consciousness.

This section highlights research, ideas, and perspectives that may deepen our understanding of healing, resilience, relationships, meaning-making, consciousness, and human potential.

While some of these areas are well-established within mainstream science, others remain exploratory and evolving. This is a new page to my website and will be updates shortly with published, peer reviewed, research; helpful resource links., etc

Areas of Interest

Consciousness Studies

Exploring current theories, research, and perspectives related to the nature of consciousness, awareness, perception, and human experience.

Consciousness remains one of the most fascinating and least understood aspects of human existence. Researchers from fields including neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, biology, and physics continue to investigate fundamental questions about the nature of mind, perception, identity, and reality.

Below are several researchers and organizations whose work contributes to ongoing discussions in this area:

Dr. Anil Seth https://www.anilseth.com/
Neuroscientist known for his work on predictive processing and theories of conscious experience.

Dr. Donald Hoffman https://sites.socsci.uci.edu/~ddhoff/
Cognitive scientist exploring theories of perception, consciousness, and the relationship between reality and conscious experience.

Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) https://noetic.org/
Research organization investigating consciousness, human potential, and the intersection of science and transformative experiences.

Essentia Foundation https://www.essentiafoundation.org/
Organization exploring philosophical and scientific perspectives related to consciousness and analytic idealism.

Dr. Michael Levin and bioelectric field research https://www.drmichaellevin.org/
Developmental and synthetic biologist studying intelligence, cognition, and problem-solving in living systems.

Dr. Marjorie Woollacott https://marjoriewoollacott.com/
Neuroscientist and researcher examining consciousness, meditation, spirituality, and human transformation.

The Center for the Unification of Consciousness and Science https://www.cusac.org/index.html

Disclosure Foundation https://disclosure.org/

The inclusion of these researchers and organizations does not imply endorsement of all perspectives or conclusions. Rather, they are included as examples of individuals and groups contributing to ongoing conversations and research related to consciousness and human experience.

Mitochondria Research

Dr. Martin Picard’s research (psycho-biology, mitochondria; mitoception; energy constraints and healing): https://www.martinpicard.energy/

Emerging Research in Neuroplasticity and Healing

Neuroplasticity Tools for Healing Complex Chronic Conditions (eg: Chronic Pain, Long Covid, ME/CFS, POTS and Fibromyalgia).

Neuroplastic Chronic Pain: when the brain perceives a threat to the body, the nervous system’s alarm fires. But the brain and nervous system can perceive danger even in the absence of any tissue or structural damage. This creates neuroplastic pain which is real pain generated by the brain, not by structural damage. Importantly, because neuroplastic pain is addressed psychologically, it does not mean that it is imaginary. It is the result of learned neural pathways in the brain. But just as pain is learned, it can also be unlearned. Just as the threat response is learned, it can be unlearned.

Dr. Howard Schubiner https://unlearnyourpain.com/

BC Centre for Long Covid ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia. Dr. Ric Arseneau & Team: Integrated Care for complex chronic conditions, https://bc-clmf.org/

Cold Exposure’s Impacts on Mental Health

Nature Journal article: Is cold exposure a viable lifestyle intervention for mental health? Reviewing evidence and mechanisms: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-026-03878-9

Neuroscience & the Brain

Emerging research on neuroplasticity, predictive processing, emotional regulation, attachment, memory, resilience, and the brain’s and nervous system’s role in shaping our experience of reality.

Memory Reconsolidation

Emerging research on how emotional learning can be updated and transformed, creating new possibilities for healing trauma, anxiety, and limiting beliefs. Daniela Schiller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Zq8Oc0sFc https://labs.neuroscience.mssm.edu/project/schiller-lab/

Predictive Processing & Meaning-Making

Understanding how the brain constructs experience, creates meaning, and continually predicts and interprets the world around us.

Interpersonal Neurobiology

Exploring the relationship between the brain, mind, body, relationships, and social connection, and how these systems influence wellbeing and resilience. https://drdansiegel.com/interpersonal-neurobiology/

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Research into psychedelic-assisted treatments and their potential applications for trauma, depression, anxiety, end-of-life distress, and personal transformation. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/research/psychedelics-research. MAPS: https://maps.org/

Plasticity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42745840/

Biofield Research

Landmark study published in Cancer Medicine in April 2026 by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that biofield therapy (BT) can significantly slow the growth and spread of pancreatic cancer in preclinical models. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41968966/ ; and IONS overview: https://noetic.org/blog/md-anderson-cancer-study/

Meditation & Contemplative Science

Scientific studies examining mindfulness, compassion, meditation, contemplative practices, and their effects on the brain, body, and overall wellbeing.

Non-Ordinary Experiences

Research related to near-death experiences, spiritually transformative experiences, mystical experiences, exceptional human functioning, and other experiences that challenge conventional assumptions about consciousness.

Books, Podcasts & Videos

The following are books, podcasts and videos from researchers, authors, clinicians, and thought leaders exploring the frontiers of psychology, neuroscience, consciousness, and human development.

Eckhart Tolle: The Secret to True Healing, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugbqg2qpwx0

Growing Through Life’s Challenges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuMDBoCfK5Y

Dan Siegel’s “Flipping Our Lid” hand metaphor (video by Tara Brach) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY5EJNB1N5c

Trauma healing books I recommend:

This page is currently being updated