Thoughts and Emotions
Syndromes:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
- Fear and foreboding
The power of the mind to control the body can be brought into play by the choices we make, through diet and lifestyle. Our brain and nervous system is a complex web that influences every cell in our body. What we think and how we feel is communicated to our organs and systems and dictates their level of functioning. For example when we are under stress due to time constraints and deadlines the message of stress is sent throughout the body. Stress increases heart rate, increases blood pressure, decreases digestion, brings blood flow to the brain for clearer thinking, makes the adrenal glands produce cortisol. On the other hand when we are at home relaxing, having a massage or taking a bath the heart rate slows, the bloodpressure decreases, blood flows to the digestive system and the body begins to repair.
This is how our emotions, thoughts and mood effect all of our basic bodie's functioning. The digestive system, the cardiovascular system, the glandular system, the muscularsystem etc.
So, most of us know by now that stress is detrimental to the body and long term stress causes disease. What about other emotions such as fear, grief, anger, sorrow, joy, love, laughter etc?
In Chinese medicine these emotions are said to be associated with different organs. For example anger is a sign that the liver stressed or overburdened and grief lingers in the lungs in the form of congestion or colds that just won't go away. Each emotion has its place and is beneficial for a time, but when one emotion dominates the body is out of balance. When the body is out of balance disease begins. In this way thoughts and emotions play a part in becoming sick but they can also help to reverse disease.
Have you ever been looking in the cupboard for something, knowing you will never find it, becoming more and more frustrated when someone points out that it is right in front of you and to your amazement you were staring right at it but could not see it? Or have you ever been looking for something and you just knew you would find it, and you did? This is called fulfilling our expectations. When we think negatively we gather information around us to support our negativity. When we think positively we gather information to support our positivety. So, if you think you cannot get better or that your condition will only worsen, even though the answer may be right in front of you, you will not be able to see it because that is not what your mind is looking for.
Problems such as Anxiety, Depression and Anger can be debilitating and have physical ramifications. There are may ways to treat these naturally as natural medicine recognizes how integral our emotions are to our health.
Our central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) receives stimuli and consciously or unconsciously reacts to them. Through the brain and nerve paths we can perceive what is occurring in the world around us and interact with changing events. The marvelous network of nerves in the brain also allows us to engage in nonphysical activities that are creative and spontaneous. These mental/emotional acts can seem to be separate from physical realities, but they produce, and are strongly influenced by chemical changes in our brains. These chemical alterations have to do not only with transmission of impulses between nerve cells and tissue but also with the availability of nutrients though the circulation.
The ability of nerves to function properly is based upon their energy metabolism and their nutrient supply. To meet the demands of ordinary stresses require proper circulation to provide oxygen, simple sugar, vitamin B complex and minerals calcium and magnesium. Certain amino acids from protein are necessary precursors for impulse transmitter substances. Depression can be associated with reduced levels of dopamine, derived from the amino acid tyrosine, while anxiety and wakefulness can sometimes be improved by supplying tryptophan to encourage serotonin production. Without adequate cellular nutrition the brain's perceptions can be altered and its responses can be erratic. Inadequate circulation to the brain robs its cells of sufficient nutrients. Excessive blood flow also effects the brain's function. Daily consumption of the herb feverfew can often prevent migraine headaches associated with cerebral circulatory changes.
Our body is normally controlled by electrical messages received from the central nervous system or the autonomic (adrenergic or cholinergic) nerves and by chemical messages from the hormonal glands of the body. Thoughts of intention arising from the cerebral cortex of the brain act through the spinal cord to produce and mediate somatic (bodily) effect. For example, our posture changes as we decide to move or make our muscles become tense or relaxed. Emotions and imagination, whether memories or fantasies, produce unconscious somatic effects. They are also associated with the brain's limbic system which influences the autonomic nervous system to alter unconscious organ functions. For example, smelling stimulates the olfactory bulb in the limbic system which activates feelings and memories and changes the facial expression and heartrate. Imagination and emotions also affect the hypothalamic area of the brain which controls many somatic and autonomic functions. In addition the hypothalamus has a delayed control over the body's metabolic activity through chemical messages it sends to the adjacent pituitary gland. This master gland then releases hormones into the blood which act on other glands and organs throughout the body. These control levels of fluid, energy, growth and reproductive activity over the long term by their own hormonal releases.
Emotions can be influenced by consciously choosing to express certain attitude.
Modern living can produce a great deal of stress due to the demands that confront people each day. After continually rising to meet the requirements of a fast-paced lifestyle people may reach the stage where they no longer feel capable of responding adequately to their daily responsibilities. This stage of adrenal exhaustion follows chronic adrenergic over-stimulation. Besides the various lifestyle adjustments and behavioral techniques that can be employed, the use of certain herbal remedies can improve the efficiency with which both the mind and the body manage stressful circumstances. This influence is many faceted and involves balancing nervous, hormonal, metabolic and circulatory activity. Consequently, the enhanced performance instills a sense of confidence for being able to mange problems and difficulties. At times when refreshing rest is difficult to achieve, other herbs that promote relaxation can help fulfill this need.