Phantom limbs: Is it all in the head?

Abstract

The Phantom Limb Phenomenon, the experience of sensations in missing body parts, has long engendered wonder among scholars and scientists alike. It has been the subject of folklore, philosophical theory and scientific discovery across the ages. Although this topic was originally approached with much skepticism, the authenticity of phantom sensations has since become increasingly accepted and recently, various scientific studies have been directed at understanding both phantom limb sensations and the pain generated in phantom limbs. In addition to shedding light on the phenomenon of phantom limbs, this research has also revealed great insights into the workings of the human brain.