Exploring the edges of science: Dr. Àlex Gómez-Marín (Episode 21)

A lot of what Àlex Gómez-Marín explores challenges the boundaries of traditional science. A physicist and neuroscientist, Alex leads the Behavior of Organisms Laboratory at the Instituto de Neurociencias in Alicante, Spain, and serves as the director of the Pari Center in Italy. His groundbreaking work spans neuroscience, physics, and the study of consciousness, with a focus on what he calls “the edges of consciousness.” In this episode, Elizabeth joins Alex for a mind-expanding conversation about the limits of science as it’s traditionally understood. As Alex highlights, “What is funded is what gets studied,” meaning that the edges of consciousness are often dismissed as fringe and ignored by mainstream science. But materialism is not the only game in town—"science is far more than materialism and reductionism." From his transformative Near-Death Experience (NDE) to his pioneering research on phenomena beyond the five senses, Alex bridges science, spirituality, and the humanities. He explains the receiver model of consciousness, which suggests that the brain functions more like an antenna than a generator, and explores phenomena such as remote viewing and telepathy, pushing the boundaries of what mainstream science considers possible. Together, they discuss Alex's neuroscience research on blind individuals who “see” with their hearts called E.O.V., telepathy as the blending of thought and knowing, and the concept of reality as an evolving perception. Alex’s unique perspective invites us to question everything and embrace the unknown, reminding us that the cracks in the matrix may reveal that reality is far richer than we ever imagined. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Near-death experience and neuroscience 5:07 The Pari Center and exploring consciousness 10:04 Sharing a profound near-death experience 16:59 Science beyond materialism and reductionism 28:24 Different philosophical approaches to consciousness 34:44 The need for listening in scientific discourse 40:50 Studying extraocular vision scientifically 47:40 Using science to validate extraordinary experiences 51:52 Outro: Exploring the edges of consciousness About Wonderstruck: Wonderstruck® is a podcast about awe and wonder that includes the profoundly moving, the humbling, and the uncanny. Hosted by psychologist, yoga teacher, and seeker Elizabeth Rovere, it explores experiences that bring us to the very edges of what we can explain, and beyond. Join us every month for conversations with scientists and shamans, philosophers and poets, mystics and experiencers. We ask what we can learn from those moments that often lack explanations. We ask deeper questions about consciousness, being, and reality. We look at mystery not as something to solve, but as a place where transformation can occur. And along the way, we glimpse a world wilder, stranger, and more Real than we ever imagined. Wonderstruck Links: https://wonderstruck.org https://newsletter.wonderstruck.org/ Instagram: wonderstruckpod @wonderstruckpod https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boW... #interview #podcast #consciousness #meditation #relaxing #meditate #yoga #yogalife #buddhism #buddha #zen #wonder #spiritualism #spiritual #learn #learning #motivation #knowledge #mind #mindset #mindfulness #inspiration #inspirationalquotes #inspirationalquotes #eov #neardeathexperience #nde #neuroscience #materialism #physics #panpsychism #paranormal #paranormalactivity #paranormalstories