Avoid pain. Seek pleasure. Most of our lives can be reduced to these simple directives. It’s no wonder then that relief from pain is a primary motivational force in our lives and a multi billion dollar medical enterprise. But can we relieve pain with mere thought?

A recent San Antonio Eyewitness news story reports that researchers at the University of North Texas are exploring the near death experience (NDE) and its unique perspective on consciouness, “whether it’s real, whether it’s in the mind, or whether it matters.” An extended report is also featured on video.

There’s a great little article in last week’s New York Times, Down For The Count which overviews recent scientific research on sleep.

“Sleep has attracted a tremendous amount of attention in science, but we really don’t know what sleep is.”