This month we tackle a rather prominent health topic that is widely underappreciated and rarely addressed in a positive fashion… Emotional Health. First off, what are emotions? They must be a big deal considering an entire form of technologic communication has been develop because of them. Welcome to the world of “Emoji Communication.” Anyways, let’s get back on topic.
Emotions are any conscious experience characterized by intense mental activity and a certain degree of pleasure or displeasure. The limbic system within the brain is the center which controls emotions and how we respond to different stimuli from all special senses. This is how essential oils can play a role in mood stabilization for individuals dealing with stress or anxiety. Lavender, Frankincense, and Cedarwood have been shown to be advantageous to those needing relief quick. These also can help with falling asleep because of the calming effect they create within the body through proper activation of regions within the limbic system.
“The limbic system is a set of brain structures located on top of the brainstem and buried under the cortex. Limbic system structures are involved in many of our emotions and motivations, particularly those that are related to survival. Such emotions include fear, anger, and emotions related to sexual behavior. The limbic system is also involved in feelings of pleasure that are related to our survival, such as those experienced from eating” and sex.”
If you want to learn more about the limbic system structures and functions check out ThoughtCo, Limbic System: Amygdyla, Hypothalamus, Thalamus.
To tackle emotional health we must also know what kinds of emotions there are. For a full list click here! Ultimately, the most common emotions we feel within our society today can range from joyful and happy to anger and hatred.
One emotion in particular seems to drive our health though. This emotion is fear. Fear is a response to something we perceive as dangerous or challenging. It can be as simple as getting out of bed or running from a bear. I could go ahead and list all the different phobias that have been diagnosed, but we will address more of the effect of fear itself. Here is a list if you feel inclined to check them all out. Fear can create an astounding emotional response within the human brain and body. This leads to a change in neurologic function, endocrine (hormonal) function, and physical function. Responses can vary from individual to individual, but there are common functions within the body which can be compromised because of it. Learn more about fear from Emotional Competency.
We discussed the effects of inflammation last Fall. Well, fear can drive inflammation through a series of events in the central nervous system (not only from limbic system function) by increased sympathetic nervous system activity. The sympathetic nervous system is our nifty “fight or flight” response that leads to increased release of a hormone CORTISOL from the adrenal cortex. Cortisol drives a systemic inflammatory cascade leading to many health conditions that go much further than basic stress and anxiety. This is how fear presenting as anxiety, stress, anger, jealousy can drive metabolic action in the body and create imbalances within physiologic processes. If this imbalance occurs on a chronic level we see many inflammatory responses throughout all regions of the body leading to increased risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, headaches, joint pain, neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc.), problems focusing, memory loss, immune suppression (constantly getting sick), cancer, and most autoimmune disorders. Some people may think, “well many of these things are in my genes and family history so I’ll probably deal with it too.” NOT SO FAST! As Dr. Davis Brockenshire stated so eloquently about genetics at the ISCA Spring Conference a couple weekends ago, “Your grandparents may have loaded the gun, but you are the one who pulled the trigger.” Genetics play a roll, but it is what you do on a daily basis that determines your health outcomes. The most important aspect to improve your health outcomes is to address neuroinflammation.
In order to address neuroinflammation we must look into treatment aimed at reducing specifically this. Surprisingly enough, your local Chiropractor is your best solution. In a study published in Alternative Therapies Health Medicine titled “Brain Changes in Men After Chiropractic” some pretty great results were found. A team of 8 PhD’s and 1 Chiropractor were able to use brain PET scan imaging to view regions of the brain in response to a single Chiropractic adjustment. This study found substantial changes in brain activity demonstrating an inhibition of sympathetic tone in the nervous system, decrease of salivary amylase (enzyme present during fight/flight response), regional brain metabolic changes occurred, and muscle tone and pain intensity decreased. This also occurs within females as well in case you were wondering. This data was able to prove that spinal integrity can dictate nervous system health. This is because the spine has the ONLY direct link to the Hypothalamus in the entire body.
Another amazing way to address emotional health and well-being is to find joy and learn to grow from challenges and struggles that come our way. Having faith in God and working to improve your spiritual health can help guide you on that path. Next month this will be discussed in greater detail as my beautiful fiancé Lindsey will be posting about how to develop a strong spiritual health to close out this series on overall health and wellness. The timing is perfect too since we’ll be celebrating Easter in a few weeks!
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