How Does Mind-Body Healing Work
by Dr. Bruce Forciea
Many of us know that there is a strong connection between what we think and how
we feel, but just how can something as abstract as a thought have such a powerful
affect on our bodies? Perhaps an answer can be found by looking at the mind and
body as part of a complex information system.
First of all from a scientific perspective a thought consists of the transmission of
electrochemical impulses throughout a network of brain cells called neurons. The
neurons talk to each other by making connections with other neurons and secreting
little packets of chemicals called neurotransmitters. The brain is so complex that it
has been said to contain nearly ten billion neurons. Each of these ten billion neurons
can connect with up to ten thousand other neurons. The possible connections
actually exceed the number of known particles in the universe!
Each packet of neurotransmitter can be thought of as a tiny set of instructions telling
another neuron what to do. The instructions can tell the next neuron to fire an
impulse to another neuron or to hold the impulse back by inhibiting it. The billions of
instructions going on in our brains represent a vast information network.
So how does the information network of the brain communicate with the body? Or to
put it another way, where does the mind end and the body begin? This is a tough
question to answer because depending on how you look at it there is no definitive
dividing line between mind and body. Both are intimately interconnected. The body
is also a complex information system.
The body has thousands of feedback systems that rely on a constant flow of
information and these systems are connected to the nervous system. For example
the nervous system constantly monitors blood pressure. The nervous system senses
an increase or decrease in blood pressure and responds by sending information to
the heart and blood vessels to stabilize the pressure.
This complex connection between mind and body not only keeps things working
properly but can also have negative effects on your health. For example, in times of
stress a part of the nervous system called the sympathetic nervous system takes over
and secretes neurotransmitters such as adrenaline. Adrenaline causes your heart
rate and blood pressure to increase as well as your digestion to shut down. The
sympathetic nervous system is so interconnected with the organs in your body that
the effects of stress can be profound. For example, prolonged periods of stress can
affect the digestive system so much that an ulcer can develop.
Another pathway between mind and body is called the hypothalamic pituitary
adrenal axis. The hypothalamus is located deep in the brain and is affected by
thoughts and emotions. It connects with the pituitary gland that secretes a number of
hormones some that target the adrenal gland. One important hormone secreted by
the adrenal gland in times of stress is cortisol. Cortisol increases blood sugar levels
and blood pressure. High levels of cortisol can put stress on other organs and
contribute to disease.
The important point is that the stress coming from the nervous system originates as a
series of thoughts in the brain. These thoughts are physical things and can elicit a
physical effect on the body. The thoughts come from our perceptions. Stress is
something that is perceived. You can choose to perceive a certain situation as
stressful or not.
This mind-body connection can be used to heal. The science of
psychoneuroimmunology studies the effects of the mind on the body. Mind-body
healing has been shown to be effective in a host of illnesses and diseases such as
high blood pressure, stress, increased immunity, pain control, and many others.
One effective mind-body technique that anyone can do is called guided imagery. In
guided imagery you are guided through a process of relaxation followed by creating
an image of your pain or disease. The image is then replaced by an image of health
or healing. The technique is performed frequently, often daily and lasts anywhere
from ten minutes to an hour. Some people become very adept at imagery after
practicing the technique and can experience benefits from just ten minutes a day.
Guided imagery is a simple yet effective tool in a healing regimen. I have used this
technique frequently and found it to be very beneficial in helping with a variety of
health problems. Mind-body healing is one way to help support your body’s many
information systems and help you to heal by maintaining a positive flow of
information.
by Dr. Bruce Forciea
Many of us know that there is a strong connection between what we think and how
we feel, but just how can something as abstract as a thought have such a powerful
affect on our bodies? Perhaps an answer can be found by looking at the mind and
body as part of a complex information system.
First of all from a scientific perspective a thought consists of the transmission of
electrochemical impulses throughout a network of brain cells called neurons. The
neurons talk to each other by making connections with other neurons and secreting
little packets of chemicals called neurotransmitters. The brain is so complex that it
has been said to contain nearly ten billion neurons. Each of these ten billion neurons
can connect with up to ten thousand other neurons. The possible connections
actually exceed the number of known particles in the universe!
Each packet of neurotransmitter can be thought of as a tiny set of instructions telling
another neuron what to do. The instructions can tell the next neuron to fire an
impulse to another neuron or to hold the impulse back by inhibiting it. The billions of
instructions going on in our brains represent a vast information network.
So how does the information network of the brain communicate with the body? Or to
put it another way, where does the mind end and the body begin? This is a tough
question to answer because depending on how you look at it there is no definitive
dividing line between mind and body. Both are intimately interconnected. The body
is also a complex information system.
The body has thousands of feedback systems that rely on a constant flow of
information and these systems are connected to the nervous system. For example
the nervous system constantly monitors blood pressure. The nervous system senses
an increase or decrease in blood pressure and responds by sending information to
the heart and blood vessels to stabilize the pressure.
This complex connection between mind and body not only keeps things working
properly but can also have negative effects on your health. For example, in times of
stress a part of the nervous system called the sympathetic nervous system takes over
and secretes neurotransmitters such as adrenaline. Adrenaline causes your heart
rate and blood pressure to increase as well as your digestion to shut down. The
sympathetic nervous system is so interconnected with the organs in your body that
the effects of stress can be profound. For example, prolonged periods of stress can
affect the digestive system so much that an ulcer can develop.
Another pathway between mind and body is called the hypothalamic pituitary
adrenal axis. The hypothalamus is located deep in the brain and is affected by
thoughts and emotions. It connects with the pituitary gland that secretes a number of
hormones some that target the adrenal gland. One important hormone secreted by
the adrenal gland in times of stress is cortisol. Cortisol increases blood sugar levels
and blood pressure. High levels of cortisol can put stress on other organs and
contribute to disease.
The important point is that the stress coming from the nervous system originates as a
series of thoughts in the brain. These thoughts are physical things and can elicit a
physical effect on the body. The thoughts come from our perceptions. Stress is
something that is perceived. You can choose to perceive a certain situation as
stressful or not.
This mind-body connection can be used to heal. The science of
psychoneuroimmunology studies the effects of the mind on the body. Mind-body
healing has been shown to be effective in a host of illnesses and diseases such as
high blood pressure, stress, increased immunity, pain control, and many others.
One effective mind-body technique that anyone can do is called guided imagery. In
guided imagery you are guided through a process of relaxation followed by creating
an image of your pain or disease. The image is then replaced by an image of health
or healing. The technique is performed frequently, often daily and lasts anywhere
from ten minutes to an hour. Some people become very adept at imagery after
practicing the technique and can experience benefits from just ten minutes a day.
Guided imagery is a simple yet effective tool in a healing regimen. I have used this
technique frequently and found it to be very beneficial in helping with a variety of
health problems. Mind-body healing is one way to help support your body’s many
information systems and help you to heal by maintaining a positive flow of
information.
| Dr. Bruce Forciea's New book presents a new paradigm for healing with alternative medicine by using information channels. |
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| How Does Mind-Body Healing Work? |