"Omneuron"

[Diane]

Here is a NY Times article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/business/yourmoney/26stream.html?ex=1189137600&en=eed18c788c0dad22&ei=5070) on something that looks like it functions as a (very expensive probably) feedback device for learning to resolve pain:
Here’s how Omneuron uses fMRI to treat chronic pain: A patient slides into the coffin-like scanner and watches a computer-generated flame projected on the screen of virtual-reality goggles; the flame’s intensity reflects the neural activity of regions of the brain involved in the perception of pain. Using a variety of mental techniques — for instance, imagining that a painful area is being flooded with soothing chemicals — most people can, with a little concentration, make the flame wax or wane. As the flame wanes, the patient feels better. Superficially similar to an older technology, electroencephalogram biofeedback, which measures electrical feedback across multiple areas of the brain, fMRI feedback measures the blood flow in precise areas of the brain.

[clarett]

Diane,

Like you said - probably expensive but very interesting. It'd be great to know how long-term the effects are....
One more proof that we should be looking to the nervous system.

Clare

[Randy Dixon]

I can clear my sinuses by imagining a picture like those used in decongestant commercials, of a giant nose filled with boogers, then magically opening up with the decongestant.

I'm not sure if it is a matter of subtle muscle relaxation or altering blood flow that does it. It feels like I'm changing the muscle tone, but I haven't really looked into the muscles controlling the nose.

Yeah, I'm being silly but it is true.

[Jon Newman]

Here's some commentary on this sort of technology (in general), from The Neurocritic (http://neurocritic.blogspot.com/2007/09/would-i-lie-to-you-yet-again.html#links)

As usual, read the comments.