Background

The ‘Dolphin Within’ research program, headed by Dr Olivia de Bergerac, is a long-term project studying the impacts on humans being in of contact with dolphins. The central theme of the project is the identification of the physiological, psychological and spiritual changes people go through when they watch and/or swim with dolphins. From assessments of these changes a new form of dolphin-assisted therapy is being developed; one that does not involve captive or wild dolphins but instead creates a simulated learning environment in which people receive, with the assistance of coaching, healing from within themselves.

Hypotheses

The research is investigating three basic hypotheses:

1. People, including those with physical or mental handicaps, can receive benefits from contact with dolphins.
2. It is possible to create a learning environment with dolphins as a 'medium' to accelerate the learning process.
3. Dolphins activate in people their healing process on various levels (physical, psychological and spiritual).

Research Background

On a micro level, the research deals with frequency mediated psycho-physiological responses in biological systems, focusing in particular on the effect of dolphin ultrasonic frequencies on human brain hormone release.
Recent research has shown that significant improvements in cognitive responses occurred in mentally retarded children subjected to dolphin interaction. Brain wave measurements have also been shown to change significantly in subjects exposed to dolphin interactions. The usefulness of dolphins in biomedical engineering research has recently been investigated and modern studies of cetacean acoustic transmissions are now accomplished using digital signal processing analysis and neural networks.

Ongoing research in the field of psychoneuroendocrinology has linked the brain hormone ACTH (along with its precursors and allied product hormones) to stress, depression and immune response, to name but a few. On a therapeutic level, synthetic analogs of these hormones have been shown to have a positive effect on autistic children. In addition, medical conditions linked to abnormal levels of these hormones have been shown to be identifiable on patients' EEG records.

Through work on the resonant recognition model (a digital signal processing based method of analysing proteins), the potential for frequency-mediated effects on biomolecular systems has been highlighted.
We are therefore investigating the possible link between dolphin ultrasonic transmissions directed towards humans and direct stimulation of neuroendoctrine functions, with a view to identifying and electronically replicating beneficial effects. This is being accomplished through electroencephalographic (EEG) testing coupled with electronic detection methods.

Process

The research program has three components, outlined briefly as follows.

1. Participants are interviewed to establish their relationship with the ocean and water, and to examine their physiological, and psychological profiles. They undergo tests designed to assess their physical health and fitness and pre-experiment brainwave patterns. They are also informed of their possible level of involvement in the research project.
2. A workshop is conducted on a sailing boat in safe waters of Port Stephens. The workshop includes activities such as sailing, dolphin watching, snorkeling in the dolphin’s environment. Participants stay overnight on the boat. We assess participants' brainwave patterns before and after contact with dolphins
3. During the period following the workshop, participants are contacted for interviews, questionnaires, and journal analysis.

Research Tools

The research is mainly qualitative, as follows:

• interview sessions
• physiological tests and observations
• brainwave observations using an EEG machine
• questionnaires and statistical analysis
• drawings
• journals
• filming

The research results are being published in three formats:

• Articles for medical or research journals and general news/magazine media.
• A book “The Dolphin Within: Awakening Human Potential”, published by Simon and Schuster.
• A series of TV documentaries from Australia, France, UK, USA and Japan.

Further Information
If you would like more information on the Dolphin Society research program or would like to contribute in any way, please don’t hesitate contacting us. Thank you