Its All In The Head!

The next time you hear someone say ‘what we think determines what happens to us’ you better believe it, for recent researches have shown that our mind affects our health in ways never imagined before.

Brain biologists have discovered that the brain might actually help our immune system fight disease, ease chronic pains, encounter addictions, defeat depression, overcome phobias and put a stop to spreading cancers. It began back in 1975, when Dr Robert Ader, director of the Division of Behavioural and Psychosocial Medicine at University of Rochester, New York, first reported that our immune system, nervous system and endocrine or hormone system work together, and each system influences the other. The study of these complex interactions was originally termed Psycho Neuro Immunology, or PNI. Although today it is most commonly referred to as the mind-body connection.


By 1980, researchers from Harvard University reproduced and confirmed Ader’s studies. PNI is now taught at most leading medical schools as the scientific field of study that investigates the link between bi-directional communications between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems and implications of these linkages for physical health.


In the year 2000, Dr Tracy, a neurosurgeon, immunologist and director of the Feinstein Institute of Medical Research, New York, after careful study of two decades, reveals through his study that the stimulation of the vagus nerve — a major nerve that runs from our brain stem to our belly and regulates our heartbeat, breathing and intestines — stops severe sepsis. It does so by utilising neurochemicals to signal immune cells, which prevents them from releasing alarm molecules that spur inflammation and cause damage. Latter in 2006, he discovered a brain circuit that could stimulate the vagus nerve to stop inflammation.


If patients with severe sepsis can learn to slow down their heartbeats, they might be able to control their brains to modify the vagus nerve, which will calm the inflammation to fight disease.


Moreover, a strained and stressed mind can lead to surfeit physical and mental disorders, which can directly affect our immune system. Higher levels of stress are interlinked with chronic and intense anger, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, cancer and even conventional physical illnesses such as flu, cold and generally poor health.


Studies have shown that stress hormones can encourage cancerous cells to release two particular compounds that help them travel within the body through the blood stream. The third compound supplies nutrients to the existing tumour. Thus by reducing stress level, cancers can also be fought.


Anger not only affects our lives and relationships but is also directly associated with depression. A person suffering from depression is likely to have severe mood swings, fatigue, and lack of energy, decreased or lost appetite, anger and anxiety. In severe cases of depression, patients become hopeless and distance themselves from society, which may result in excessive isolation, loneliness and even suicide attempts



Anxiety may also trigger depression. It is therefore essential to pacify and relax our minds to control palpitations, racing pulse and excessive panting. Phobias, panic attacks, physical and mental disorders, anxious or depressive collapse or nervous breakdowns are caused by intense depression and stressful psychological conditions. But a peaceful, tranquil mind can rebound these fiends.



In modern times, doctors and scientists have and are still working together to train people so that they can control and harness their minds. Many studies and observations have been made to understand the influence of the healing power of the mind on the human body.


Stress should be fought with fortitude, for if left intact, it will gradually impair your strength



The best way to confront stress is to adopt positive thinking patterns, which will help immunise your mind and body, producing positive and durable results. Meditation may also help repose your mind.



In addition, it is also important that the family and friends of people dealing with stress fully support them during their recovery by believing in them, understanding and encouraging them and by helping them set targets and achieve their goals.




The mystifying healing power of the mind still needs to be studied in depth. However, always remember that energy of the subconscious mind used consciously, will not only bring peace to your soul, but will also bring ease to physical illness and disorders.




Published in DAWN sunday magazine 6th July'08