Mind Over Matter - Can We Heal Ourselves With Our Thoughts?

brains! (Photo credit: cloois)

I once asked a medical doctor, a specialist in his trade, if he believed in a mind body connection. He simply said no. I then asked him a question. If there is no mind body connection how do you wiggle your toes? I am sure he understood what I was asking. Do you believe that person can influence their health based on their state of mind. His training and experience were built upon protocols that examined and managed disease through biochemistry once a condition existed. For him there was no proactive approach. To him the only cause of disease that he could consider was on that basis.

More and more research is being conducted on how much our point of view; our minds in its conscience and less than conscience minds affect not only our bodies but our whole universe. Physicists and cosmologists have felt for some time that merely perceiving things brings them into their manifested form. Scientists in their search for understanding how our universe exists in the state that it does have found that the very universe changes based on our perspective. Theories like Einstein's theory of relativity and Schrodinger's and his infamous cat.

Setting the physics aside for a bit, let's consider how different states of emotion can be connected to biophysical outcomes. One good example of this is the fight or flight response. At the moment that the mind detects a crisis situation developing, changes that are subtle and not so subtle begin to happen in the brain. These changes are distributed to both the electrical activity and the neurotransmitters that our brain uses to control the rest of the body. There is an intense increase in the rate that our synapses fire. Both our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work to increase breathing and heart rate. Our adrenal gland produces both adrenaline and cortisol. Both of these chemicals introduce changes in the body. It also can produce significant damage after prolonged or frequent production in the system. It can affect the condition of the heart, lungs, and as research continues it appears that it affects the immune system. There are some studies that suggest that within seconds of stressful stimulation changes happen in the way our immune system works. This change includes changes in the very cells and structures that our bodies produce. It can affect the ability of the body to heal itself and in other cases can directly start attacking parts of the system.

These changes are also echoed in the digestive system. Some people consider the stomach to be the second brain. This is because of the high concentration of nerves that are located in the area. Sugars (glucose) increase in the blood.

As the body is pushed to the limits, feedback through the erosion of function and messages returning from these systems causes further changes in the brain until it actually alters its own structure physically, electrically, and chemically. If this cycle continues in both intensity and frequency further and further changes (not particularly beneficial) occur the whole system becomes damaged. With enough stress our DNA can begin to change via entheogenic responses.

The basis for these changes in a causal way is controlled by the perception of events as they develop and how we (in our minds) interpret these events. If we see danger we react to that danger, if we experience things that we believe are beneficial our bodies and brains react to that too.

Another good example might lie in diseases such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Recent research has indicated that these might ultimately be caused by the hypothalamus becoming exhausted and then sort of going off line. It is similar to when a computer has reached a critical condition and shuts down. It is like the infamous, "blue screen", that so many computer users have experienced.

There seems to be a clear connection between how we see things and how body reacts. We have the ability to do some fantastic things. Our bodies are much more accomplished at producing the chemicals and enzymes that keep us well. In a healthy state our bodies are the best pharmacy. This indicates a strong causal relationship for the belief that our state of mind does change our body. It is mind body medicine in a nutshell. Our minds not only give us the ability to move our toes on command but it can change the automatic responses that our body takes to deal with differently perceived environments.

Can Changing Your Mind, Change Your Brain?

Can our brains change in structure over time? Do our brains re-wire itself based on what we experience? These are interesting questions. Scientists have wondered if our perceptions and experiences have the ability to change the physical makeup of our brains. In 1890, William James, published an article in The Principles of Psychology. There is growing evidence that changing your mind does change your brain.

In the 1970’s and 80’s, many tests were preformed to determine if changes in perception did have the ability to change the physical structure of the brain. Some of these tests were developed and implemented by Michael Merzenich, Jon Kaas, and Doug Rasmusson. These tests seemed to show that there is a strong reason to believe that your state of mind does change your brain. However, there are some scientists who are not certain that this is the case.

There are two main types of neuroplasticity. These are generally known as, “positive“ or “negative” plasticity. This means that our mind changes it’s wiring and either grows connections or disposes of connections depending on the circumstances. An example of negative plasticity occurs when pain or trauma changes the amount of neurotransmitters. These chemicals have a big impact on the brain. If the impact of these chemicals are strong enough they will change  the structure of the brain. Since 2005 research has continued to show that the the brains ability to change is quite rapid.

Richard Davidson, is a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin. He has led experiments in conjunction with the Dalai Lama to see if meditation can have an effecton the structure of the neuropathways. The research seems to indicate that meditation does affect both long and short-term restructuring of the brain. This is particularly true in areas that affect emotions such as anxiety, fear, depression, and anger.

brains! (Photo credit: cloois)

From this research it seems to be clear that how you see the world and how you experience the world does have the ability to affect the physical structure of your brain. In this case there is literally a connection between mind over matter. It’s important for us at all times to look at ourselves in the self compassionate and friendly light. Through this compassion and understanding weekend change some of the fundamental connections in our brain to promote our health and well-being. When we seek to change her mind it’s important to remember that we also change your brain. This changes our ability to adapt to the circumstances and experience around us. The ability to change our brains could be a substantial tool in the arsenal for those who have mental illness to find meaningful and lasting recovery.