Yes, I see what you mean. Very interesting. I remember Krishnamurti as the philosopher who blamed nationalisms and beliefs as the main source of clashes between humans and wars, wasn’t he? Shamanism may well be a way to find again the contact with the paranormal awareness that was very likely lost with the Neolithic way of life and Neolithic nutrition. 

Hi Iguana
there were two Indian mystics named Krishnamurti: the milder one (J) who is generally the better known of the two and would be the one speaking out on wars, and the fire breathing one (UG), who spoke at length about the inherent intelligence of the body and how mind establishes all manner of imaginary problems.
Both interesting individuals.

Yes agreed, our increasing dis-connect from nature and captivation with many modern beliefs, mean that for many people Shamanism is nonsensical.
Fortunately there are a few isolated individuals who have these 'primitive' abilities and can utilise them to the benefit of others.
And likewise, those individuals like your self who have (however) 'discovered' instinctive eating and are able to assist those, for which the idea resonates.
And so the 'primitive' links to the past remain alive.
Kind wishes, J

Not by me and I’m not sure whether GCB has investigated on that matter. He did a lot of research and thinking about psychological difficulties and pressure of the subconscious but I never read anything concerning organism neurology.

Good points, anyway! 

Hi Iguana
I recall some years back, Indian mystic UG Krishnamurti caused a stir in spiritual circles when he claimed his 'enlightenment' was  neuro-biological, which he called 'a natural state'.
He likened this 'state' to falling back into a primordial way of functioning whereby senses operate quite directly in response to stimulii, without interference of thought (unless needed).
He explained that (to someone not functioning this way) past experience, culture, society, religious beliefs and so on, are inextricably tied-in with sense, and so these influences automatically colour what one sees, feels, hears (and of course tastes and smells.)
Many shamans (some even without the benefit of hallucinogenic substances) also perceive the world quite differently than what is generally thought to be 'normal'.
Some shamans who specialise in healing plants and foods explain that the foods 'talk' to them, and this 'talking' may come in the form of visions, but also direct vibratory input from the plants as they 'talk' to the shaman (not unlike an Instinctive Eater via smell and taste) as to what is palatable and beneficial to eat at a time, and what is not.
Like the example of UG Krishnamurti and some Shamans, there is a growing number of scientific thinkers who believe that neural pathways and configurations are responsible for these 'abilities'.
For what its worth, in light of these examples and my own experience, I think there is a good case to me made for organism wiring as a reason of explaining why some are able to eat 'instinctively'.
Now why that happens to one person and not another is another question, but it could be that by consistenly practicing with rigour and discipline, that the appropriate neural pathways adapt in response.
Enough of my rambling, thanks for the opportunity
Kind wishes, J

Most Instinctos who were healthy when they started the diet are very intelligent people, very strong-willed, very independent, and open-minded.  Either that, or they were very sick, and got lucky and found the raw food diet while searching for a way to heal themselves.

Thanks Cherimoya_Kid
a circular debate can be had whether such traits are a background basis for an 'Instincto,' or whether these traits are reflective of certain neurological possibilities that can come to the fore with some people.

I have noticed however with meditators - to illustrate a possible correlation - that folk have different aims from the practice.
Some want to be less stressed to cope with the hurly burly of life, some want a bit more calm and time out.
Then, there are others who desire to lay it all on the line:  want to become a living Buddha, or transcend suffering or illness.
Generally, these folks focus all their energies on the practice and their life becomes devoted and centred around the practice and other things fall into secondary status.
It is from these people that some miraculous possibilities occasionally come to pass and the big breakthrough occurs.
And I guess a comparison could be made with very sick individuals who lay it all on the line and immerse themselves completely in the practice of Instinctive Nutrition.
It does seem to me that there is some type of re-wiring that occurs because Instinctive Eating over-rides the usual automatic thought processes for eating, in favour of direct sensory signals.
Certainly in my case, changes that took place to the body included variations in how particular nerve plexi sites functioned.
Kind wishes, J

I still eat game, of course. I am not neurotic. You can only do the best you can anyway.

But, I have had parasites in my fresh wildcaught Atlantic cod from Norway too.. I just realized the living,  brown worms after I already tasted the meat. Same in herring.
 I still see no worms when I go to the toilet.. so I dunno. And I am feeling great.. not too thin or anything. I easily put on weight if I stuff myself too..
 Maybe it is not that bad to get some parasites inside? I really don't know.
Inger

Hi Inger
Yes, I agree, there is much to be said about a relaxed attitude to life (and however one eats). One does what one does, and utilises to the best of ones ability the foods one can reasonably acquire and then eats with grace and gratitude.
In addition, the stress hormones  from being hyper-obsessive can also be detrimental to a persons wellbeing.

Regarding parasites, I was flicking through an old National Geographic Magazine the other day and came across an article which was about microbes and parasites, and stated that there are more of these in the body than cells.
Furthermore the article went on to say that we co-evolved and that we have a strategic alliance, a symbiosis and that the human body is like a complex biosphere or ecosystem. These microbes and parasites help digest food, produce vitamins, fight disease and more.
And further postulates that human evolution is a side effect of the requirements of certain microbes.

No doubt there are some parasites and microbes which are more problematic than others, but I think in general with many people, the words 'parasite' or 'microbobe' carries a whole host (bad pun) of associated negative scenarios and imaginings that is not balanced by the beneficial aspects and possibilities.
Kind wishes, J

Hi Goodsamaratin
providing a wide range of nutritious foods are available, it is debateable whether it is even possible for children to 'overeat' raw seeds, in a manner similar to say, chocolate biscuits or cake or chips.
I would be surprised - if there are plenty of other seeds, fruits, vegies, seafood, animal foods, nuts, etc, available, if your son would 'go nuts' just on sunflower seeds.
And for what its worth, if he did, that to can be very telling about his nutritional needs.
At some point the enjoyment of sunflower seeds will wane in intensity.
But this is advice from an instinctive eater, so make of it what you will,
Kind wishes, J

for what its worth, another perspective on salt..
I sip seawater from time to time (I am also attracted to shellfish and I eat seaweeds directly from the rocks) as the salt seems to replenish fluids excreted.
Too much straight water combined with high water content foods such as fruit and vegies, tends (for me) to promote headache type symptoms.
But this symptom is absent when my natural attraction to a salt-taste is followed, and likewise drinking straight water to instinct, rather than the recommended amount I 'should' be drinking.

Hi Francois,
Ha, well it is a delight to find other 'Instinctos'!
Perhaps you could include some of the foods from your region you have eaten recently.
Wild boar may be a provincial special?
And shellfish possibly?
Kind wishes, J

Thanks Cherimoya_kid and KD,
and are you both able to source a large percentage of the food locally?

........yes, just right.
Then celery.
Then peanuts.

Hi Dorothy
for what its worth, if a healing modality, whatever it may be, works for the patient, whether it is placebo or not, is not so important, no?
One could say that for many, an appointment with a whitecoat wearing a stethoscope in itself has placebo or healing qualities.
The cancer doctor Gershom Zajicek writes extensively on this subject http://www.what-is-cancer.com/papers/placeborespectable.html (there is in fact much to read on his website relating to cancer and healing)
In these scientific days Shamanism is often scoffed at, yet  if the patient has belief in the therapy (or shaministic ritual) and has belief in the person doing the healing, and feel 'better' however one defines that, after the session, so be it.
Sorry, I have gone off on a tangent from germ theory, but if memory serves me right the GCB explanation seems quite reasonable.
Kindest wishes, J

I am moving to Hawaii tomorrow and just living in sunshine and sleeping and no electronics.  I'm going to try to not live under cellphone radiation too if possible.   Even so, I"m 23 years old, I shouldn't be having these problems.

Hi Charlie,
In my work I see the most profound healing to mind/body/spirit  when the perception changes from (shouldn't be happening to me) to one of (ok, this is how things are at present)
In accordance with this change in viewpoint, the inner thought battle subsides and the particular 'health challenge' can be embraced (or more easily accepted) as an opportunity for overall growth.
The move to a sunny, coastal/rainforest setting sounds great.
My best wishes are with you
 J

"I do not know how to trust my sensory signals. If I go by that, I would love to eat the sweetest fruits all day long..."

Hi Joy2012
yes, intellectually it is easy to say this (and it may in fact be the case for you) ...but you may find a different phenomena actually takes place.
With watchful awareness, 'sweet and tasty' may become 'too sweet', or uncomfortably sweet, or starts to burn in the mouth, brings sensations of discomfort, etc when the bodies needs are met.
Because we live so much in our thoughts about things, sometimes we miss the subtle nuances and sensations that occur.
Kind wishes, J

Gratefully received today: abalone and sea urchin, straight from the water, eaten on rocks, sun warming body.
Later, some fruits on the beach.