#CultureAndScience

A boy born with hydranencephaly, a condition that leaves most of the cerebral cortex absent, displays clear signs of consciousness and emotion. A Mind Matters News feature published on June 1 highlights the life of a pseudonymously named child, “Joey,” whose behavior challenges long-held beliefs about what makes us aware. The story urges scientists to reexamine central theories of consciousness in light of real-world evidence.

Modern neuroscience largely links consciousness to the cerebral cortex, the brain’s outer layer responsible for memory, perception, and thought. Prominent theories such as Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Workspace Theory (GWT) argue that consciousness emerges from complex cortical activity. Without a cortex, these models contend, consciousness should be impossible.

A remarkable case of a boy born without the cerebral hemispheres traditionally thought necessary for self-awareness is forcing scientists to reconsider longstanding beliefs about the nature of human consciousness, according to a provocative new account published on June 1 by Mind Matters News (mindmatters.ai). The report details the life and case notes of a child pseudonymously called “Joey,” who, despite being born with hydranencephaly—a devastating condition that obliterates most of the cerebral cortex—demonstrated clear signs of consciousness and a rich range of emotions, fundamentally challenging many of neuroscience’s most prominent theories.

Alpinia galanga, known in Thai as kha (ข่า), is a fragrant rhizome in the ginger family that has long anchored Thai culture. Once a common ingredient in tom yum and other dishes, it also sits at the heart of traditional healing. Today, researchers are exploring its potential in modern medicine, while Thai communities continue to value its dual role in cuisine and care.

Historically, kha has addressed everyday discomfort. Thai households have used its warming aroma to aid digestion, ease respiratory ailments, and soothe minor pains. The plant’s significance goes beyond food; it appears in temple rituals, ancestral offerings, and protective practices. In rural areas, decoctions of the rhizome have been linked to ideas of balancing the body and expelling illness, a reflection of traditional Thai medical concepts that still influence village clinics and apothecaries. This enduring role reinforces national pride in indigenous knowledge as wellness trends spotlight galangal worldwide.

Across centuries and continents, traditional herbal medicines have often woven together the practical and the spiritual, revered not only for their powers to heal but also for the stories they carry. One such botanical cornerstone in Thailand is Alpinia galanga, known locally as “kha” (ข่า), or greater galangal. This aromatic rhizome, a member of the ginger family (Zingeberaceae), has journeyed from the kitchens and marketplaces of Southeast Asia to the laboratories of modern researchers. Yet, its core identity remains deeply Thai—an herbal remedy whose role in tradition and emerging scientific validation continues to inspire curiosity and respect among health-conscious readers.