Psychoneuroimmunology the Study of Mind and Body
How Stress and Emotions Affect Physical Health
Jun 27, 2009
Psychoneuroimmunology, as defined by Dr. Kenneth Pelletier, is “the study of the intricate interaction of consciousness (psycho), brain and central nervous system (neuro), and the body’s defense against external infection and internal aberrant cell division (immunology)."
How the Mind Influences the Body
While the research behind the connections behind this field is still emerging, there are many questions to be answered. Many have theorized that when a person is chronically stressed out, the body is unable to regulate hormones and immune functions properly, and becomes physically sick.Stress can causes disorders in target organ systems. For example, in the nervous system bronchial asthma, tension headaches, migraine headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and coronary heart disease may appear. Illnesses that result can include migraines, ulcers, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, allergies, cancer, lupus, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases. Immune disorders include the common cold and flu, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers and colitis, and cancer.
Stress Negatively Impacts the Body
The stress response releases the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which promote the release of lymphocytes, but at the same time they reduce their efficiency. The stress response also releases endorphins that cause a state of euphoria. Chronic stress causes an increase in cortisol and glucocorticoids, which have been linked to a decrease in T-cells and possibly B-cells, which means the immune system will be suppressed. Research has shown that disturbances to our electrical fields by outside sources can harm our bodies on a cellular level, causing mutations that may lead to cancer. So energy can both work for us and against us when it comes to immunity and disease.
The Positive Side of Psychoneuroimmunology
On the other hand, relaxation and the use of coping techniques can actually enhance immune function. The molecules that we are composed of contain energy—the electron. It is believed that an energy field surrounds the human body, called subtle anatomy (most commonly referred to as the aura), and supplies energy (chi) to the organs and systems of the body. Participation in regular stress-fighting activities such as meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, exercise, or journaling, for example, can help create a stress-hardy personality that is more resistant to disease.
Be Mindful of Stress for Optimum Health
Taking care of the mind is just as important as taking care of the body. Being mindful of stress and learning to cope with it effectively is as vital to health as flossing teeth, daily exercise, and eating nutritious foods. Participating in healthy mind-body techniques not only fights stress, but fights disease, too.
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