The word “noetic” comes from the Greek “noētos,” meaning “intellectual.” As a general adjective, “noetic” can be applied to anything involving intellectual thinking or cognition. Astronaut Edgar Mitchell co-founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences in 1973 after he completed the Apollo 14 moon landing. He said that his experiences in space sent him into a meditative trance, and he wanted to explore that phenomenon. The institute conducts research on noetic topics including consciousness-based health care, spontaneous remission, distance healing, ESP, and alternative healing practices.