The San Antonio Mind Science Foundation seeks to unlock the mystery of human consciousness

Tom Slick was a wealthy oil heir and philanthropist based in San Antonio, TX, a hub for medical care and biomedical research in South Texas. Before Slick’s death in 1962, he established 3 research organizations in San Antonio: The Southwest Research Institute to study physical sciences and technology; The Texas Biomedical Research Institute to study life science and medicine; and the Mind Science Foundation to explore psychology, neuroscience, and the mind. Of these organizations, Slick considered the Mind Science Foundation to be his most important contribution. The goal of the Mind Science Foundation is to “explore the vast potential of the human mind in a scientific manner, for the betterment of humankind,” with a focus on human consciousness. The study of human consciousness, the state of being awake and aware of your surroundings, may seem like a topic best left to philosophers and psychologists. However, understanding consciousness is becoming increasingly important to the medical field because of the implications for how we treat brain injuries. Consciousness exists on a continuum, ranging from coma, in which people are completely unresponsive to stimuli, to a minimally conscious state, which is characterized by minimal evidence for environmental awareness. This relatively new diagnostic category was identified by the Mind Science Foundation. Understanding states of consciousness is essential for accurate diagnosis, which directs the course of treatment and ultimately influences a patient’s functional outcome. Recent technological advances have allowed doctors to identify cognitive function even when behavioral signs of consciousness are not present. For example, neuroimaging techniques can provide information about structural damage and metabolic activity in the brain. A better understanding of human consciousness will not only improve diagnosis but may also lead to the development of better treatment strategies or technologies to facilitate recovery after brain injury. To promote it’s mission of understanding human consciousness and improving human health, the Mind Science Foundation funds cutting edge research and hosts educational events in San Antonio. On June 2nd, 2015 at the Pearl Stable, the Mind Science Foundation will host a lecture by Gregg Levoy titled, “Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion.”