Patient-practitioner-remedy (PPR) entanglement. Part 1: a qualitative, non-local metaphor for homeopathy based on quantum theory

LR Milgrom

doi:10.1054/homp.2002.0055

Homeopathy, Table of Contents

Homeopathy 2002; 91(04): 239-248
DOI: 10.1054/homp.2002.0055

Education and Debate

Patient-practitioner-remedy (PPR) entanglement. Part 1: a qualitative, non-local metaphor for homeopathy based on quantum theory

LR Milgrom

Subject Editor:

Abstract

A metaphor for homeopathy is developed in which the potentised medicine, the patient, and the practitioner are seen as forming a non-local therapeutically ‘entangled’ triad, qualitatively described in terms of the transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics.

Keywords

non-locality - entanglement - transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics - PPR entanglement

Full Text

References

References
1 Milgrom LR. Vitalism, complexity, and the concept of spin. Hompeopathy 2002; 91: 26-31.
2 Waldrop MM. Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos. London: Penguin Books; 1994.
2 Hyland ME. A connectionist theory of asthma. J Clin Exp Allergy 1999; 29: 1467-1573.
2 Hyland ME. The intelligent body. New Scientist 2001; 170: 32-33.
2 Torres JL. Homeopathic effect: a network perspective. Homeopathy 2002; 91: 89-94.
3a Walach H. Magic of signs: a non-local interpretation of homeopathy. Br Hom Jr 2000; 89: 127-140.
3b Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G. Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet 1997; 350: 834-843.
3c Cucherat M, Haugh MC, Gooch M, Boissel JP. Evidence of clinical efficacy of homeopathy. A meta-analysis of clinical trials. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2000; 56: 27-33.
4a Schiff, M, The Memory of Water: Homoeopathy and the Battle of Ideas in the New Science, London, Thorsons (HarperCollins), 1995, Milgrom, L, R, King, K, R, Lee, J, Pinkus, A, S, On the investigation of homeopathic potencies using low resolution NMR T2 relaxation times; an experimental and critical survey of the work of Roland Conte, et al., Br Hom Jr, 2001, 90, 5, 13.
4b Milgrom LR, connais Je te, Dr Conte. connais Je te. Homeopath 2000; 79: 12-14.
4c Del Guidice E, Preparata G, Vitiello G. ‘Water as a Free Electron Dipole Laser’. Phys. Rev Lett. 1988; 61: 1085-1088.
4d [Bellavite, P, Signorini, (eds.)] Homeopathy:A Frontier in Medical Science, Berkeley, CA, A North Atlantic Books, 1995.
5 Samal S, Geckeler KE. (eds). Chem Commun. 2001: 2224
6 Davenas E, Beauvais F, Amara J, Oberbaum M, Robinson B, Miadonna A, Tedeschi A, Pomeranz B, Fortner P, Belon P, Saint-Laudy J, Poitevin B, Benveniste J. ‘Human basophil degranulation triggered by very dilute antiserum against IgE’. Nature 1988; 333: 816-818.
7 Belon P, Cumps J, Ennis M, Mannaioni PF, Saint-Laudy J, Roberfroid M, Wiegant FA. Inhibition of human basophil degranulation by successive histamine dilutions: results of a European multi-centre trial. Inflamm Res 1999; 48 (Suppl 1).
8 Smith CW. Neural Network World 1994; 3: 379.
9 Peters D. (ed). Understanding the Placebo Effect in Complementary Medicine: Theory, Practice, and Research. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2001.
10a McFadden J, Al-Khalili J. A quantum mechanical model of adaptive mutation. Biosystems 1999; 50: 203-211.
10b Josephson BD, Pallikari-Viras F. Biological utilization of quantum non-locality. Found Phys 1991; 21: 197-207.
11 Josephson BD. Beyond quantum theory: a realist psycho-biological interpretation of reality revisited. Biosystems 2002; 64: 43-45.
12 Atmanspacher, H, Römer, H, Walach, H, Weak quantum theory; complementarity and entanglement in physics and beyond, Found Phys.
13a Gribbin J. Schrödinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality. London: Phoenix; 1995.
13b Gribbon J. Q is for Quantum. London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson; 1998.
13c Davis P. Superforce: The Search for a Grand Unified Theory of Nature. London: Penguin Books; 1993.
13d Davies P, Gribbon J. The Matter Myth: Beyond Chaos and Complexity. London: Penguin Books; 1992.
13e Bohr N. Phys Rev 1935; 48: 609-702.
14 Aspect A, Grangier P, Roger G. Experimental realization of Einstein—Podolsky–Rosen–Bohm Gedankenexperiment: a new violation of Bell's inequalities. Phys Rev Lett 1982; 49: 91-94.
15 Bell JS. Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1987.
16 Stapp H. Harnessing science and religion: societal ramifications of the new scientific conception of human beings. Network 2001; 76: 11-12.
17 Cramer, J, G, Quantum nonlocality and the possibility of superluminal effects, Proceedings of the NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Workshop, 1, 6.
18 Einstein A, Podolsky B, Rosen N. Can a quantum mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete?. Phys Rev 1935; 47: 777-780. An entangled quantum state may be defined as the superposition (ie, the sum) of products of its component states, such that no single one of these components can be factored out of the sum.
19 Cramer JG. The transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics. Rev Mod Phys 1986; 58: 647-687.
20 Landau LJ. Experimental tests of general quantum mechanics. Lett Math Phys 1987; 14: 33-40.
21 Helman, C, G.
22 Kent JT. Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy. Sittingbourne: Homeopathic Book Service; 1990.
23 Bellavite P, Signorini A. Homoeopathy: A Frontier in Medical Science. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books; 1995.
24a Boulderstone J. The Next Step?. Homeopath 2000; 77: 16-17.
24b Wichmann J. Defining a different tradition for homeopathy. Homeopathic Links. 2001; 14: 202-203.
25a Wansborough CJ. Homeopathic links 2002; 15: 8-9.
25b Naumann E. Homeopathic links 2002; 15: 10-11.
25c Watson, I. private communication.
26 Cassam A. Provings and magic (Letters to the Editor). Homeopathy 2002; 91: 123-125.
27 Weinberg S. Phys Rev Lett 1989; 62: 485.
28 Polchinski J. Phys Rev Lett 1991; 66: 397.
29 Briggs J, Peat FD. Turbulent Mirror. New York: Harper & Row; 1990. p. 119.