The Mind-Body connection

2 de mayo de 2021

3 min de lectura

The mind and the body are not two separate entities. In fact, there is a strong link between physical health and emotional well-being. Scientists refer to this association as the mind-body connection.

Human biology and chemistry affect our moods, emotions, thoughts, and beliefs – and our emotional state and thoughts can affect our physical health. Anyone who has ever felt “butterflies” in their stomach when anxious has experienced this mind-body connection.

The Biochemistry of the Mind-Body Connection

Many health conditions are easy to diagnose and treat, and many conditions have obvious causes. A broken arm is easy to diagnose, and it is usually easy to determine what caused the fracture. Other health problems are not as easy to understand. In many cases, these complex conditions involve the deep connection between the mind and the body.

For example, heart disease is often the result of lifestyle factors, such as smoking, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle. However, researchers are discovering that attitudes and emotions can also contribute to the development of heart disease. In other words, medical professionals know there is a strong connection between the mind and the body when it comes to health. While scientists are still working to understand the details of the mind-body connection, research has shed light on the ways our minds and bodies communicate.

Brain cells and other types of cells in the body communicate using chemical and physical messengers. These messengers, known as neurotransmitters, help body cells and organs work together. Hormones are an important type of neurotransmitter – they tell body organs and cells how to react to events both inside and outside of the body. “Fight or flight” hormones prepare your body to run away from a vicious dog, for example, or to fend off an attacker.

Researchers have identified the actual network of brain nerve cells, known as the neural network, that activate the body’s response to stress. Identifying the neural networks is helping scientists learn how mental states, such as stress and depression, can affect how well body organs function.

Research validates the connection between the mind and the body. The studies show that stress alters the function of white blood cells, which are part of the immune system that helps the body heal. White blood cells (WBCs) normally respond to damaged or harmful cells, such as cancer cells or cells infected with a virus, to prevent these cells from harming other healthy cells in the body. Stress diminishes the response of WBCs, which prevents the body from defending itself from harmful cells or from healing quickly. The studies also show that stress can make vaccinations less effective.

While stress can decrease the activity of some white blood cells, this mind-body connection can also over-stimulate WBCs to the point where they start attacking healthy cells instead of unhealthy cells. This state, known as autoimmune disease, can also cause ill health. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and celiac disease are all types of autoimmune disease, and may develop as the result of the mind-body connection.

The mind-body connection can have beneficial effects too. One study looked at the mind-body connection by studying the effects of mindfulness meditation on breast cancer survivors. Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice that teaches participants how to slow down their racing thoughts, let go of negative thinking, and calm their minds. The researchers found beneficial changes to the chromosomes of the participants who meditated.

Other research looked at the mind-body connection by studying how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can alter the brain. CBT teaches participants how to identify and change their thought patterns. The researchers in one studyfound that practicing CBT could actually change the participants’ brains and nervous systems.

Putting the Mind-Body Connection to Work

You can use the mind-body connection to lead a happier, healthier life. Reducing stress can help you counteract some of its harmful physical effects, for example, and practicing yoga, tai chi or other mind-body exercises can help you control anxiety and pain. Practicing mindfulness can help boost your energy and mood, and help your body feel better in general.

Some mind-body practices include:

Meditation, yoga, tai chi, or other gentle movements
Biofeedback, a type of therapy that helps you learn how to control your breathing, heart rate, and other functions affected by stress
Progressive relaxation, a technique in which you consciously tighten then relax various muscle groups

The mind-body connection creates a powerful link between your thoughts, emotions, and physical health. Learning to control your mind can help you achieve better health. For more information about the mind-body connection, consult with your doctor or mental health professional.

Sources

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The mind and the body are not two separate entities. In fact, there is a strong link between physical health and emotional well-being. Scientists refer to this association as the mind-body connection.

The Biochemistry of the Mind-Body Connection

Putting the Mind-Body Connection to Work

Sources

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