What is the point of trepanation?
Blood is the brain’s food. The point of trepanation is to get more blood into the capillaries of the brain, so that metabolism is enhanced. For the rest of your life, more of the brain’s centres are able to function at the same time; they are lifted from starvation rations to a more generous supply of food. To have more of your brain functioning is an advantage, both physically and mentally. How would you describe the effects of trepanation? At the time of the operation, I described the effect as being like the tide coming in. I thought I noticed a lifting or lightening sensation, accompanied by a silence in the head – a feeling of peacefulness or relaxation. Of course, it’s very difficult to separate what is psychological (i.e. relief) from what is physiological (i.e. the effects of the small increase in capillary blood volume). I also began to notice a change in my dreams; they became less anxious, and in fact neurotic symptoms in general became less dominant. I would say from observ
