Homeopathy 2013; 102(01): 66-81
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2012.10.005
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2012

Testing the nanoparticle-allostatic cross-adaptation-sensitization model for homeopathic remedy effects

Iris R. Bell
1   Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ USA
2   Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ USA
3   The University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, AZ USA
,
Mary Koithan
1   Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ USA
2   Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ USA
3   The University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, AZ USA
,
Audrey J. Brooks
2   Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ USA
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received28 April 2012
revised25 October 2012

accepted25 October 2012

Publication Date:
29 December 2017 (online)

Preview

Key concepts of the Nanoparticle-Allostatic Cross-Adaptation-Sensitization (NPCAS) Model for the action of homeopathic remedies in living systems include source nanoparticles as low level environmental stressors, heterotypic hormesis, cross-adaptation, allostasis (stress response network), time-dependent sensitization with endogenous amplification and bidirectional change, and self-organizing complex adaptive systems.

The model accommodates the requirement for measurable physical agents in the remedy (source nanoparticles and/or source adsorbed to silica nanoparticles). Hormetic adaptive responses in the organism, triggered by nanoparticles; bipolar, metaplastic change, dependent on the history of the organism. Clinical matching of the patient's symptom picture, including modalities, to the symptom pattern that the source material can cause (cross-adaptation and cross-sensitization). Evidence for nanoparticle-related quantum macro-entanglement in homeopathic pathogenetic trials.

This paper examines research implications of the model, discussing the following hypotheses: Variability in nanoparticle size, morphology, and aggregation affects remedy properties and reproducibility of findings. Homeopathic remedies modulate adaptive allostatic responses, with multiple dynamic short- and long-term effects. Simillimum remedy nanoparticles, as novel mild stressors corresponding to the organism's dysfunction initiate time-dependent cross-sensitization, reversing the direction of dysfunctional reactivity to environmental stressors.

The NPCAS model suggests a way forward for systematic research on homeopathy. The central proposition is that homeopathic treatment is a form of nanomedicine acting by modulation of endogenous adaptation and metaplastic amplification processes in the organism to enhance long-term systemic resilience and health.