The Biology of Healing
How to empower your mind-body to heal
Your mind-body has this incredible ability to heal and repair itself. The biological processes involved with healing are layered and complex.
There are two ways of looking at it: micro-to-macro or macro-to-micro i.e. healing as an energetic process and healing as a systemic or biological process.
Spoiler alert: both have an effect on each other 😀
Healing as an energetic process
Human biology (all biology) can be broken down into the atomic and subatomic particles that make the human experience possible.
The miracle of healing starts when all is aligned energetically. Call it good vibrations. These vibrations form the foundations of harmonic health.
These ‘vibes’ are said to travel through the various biological systems affecting cell and organ function and ultimately the mind.
The question becomes: What brings the mind-body into energetic harmony?
Western science is starting to understand the connection between the mind, emotions, and your ability to heal.
Much of this knowledge has to do with how the mind and the body communicate to each other. In biological terms, this has everything to do with the nervous system; the nervous system ultimately refers to the channels through each the mind and body communicate to each other.
These channels are complex in terms of their interactions and function. One important and notable characteristic of the nervous system is the distinction between the somatic and autonomic nervous system.
The somatic system accounts for what you control, your hand movement, your legs, your muscles, etc. the autonomic nervous system accounts for all of the internal processes that we do not control, at least not with our thoughts. These include things like your heart rate, your digestion, liver function, and so many other biological processes that happen in the background.
The level of orchestration that needs to happen in order for the mind-body to function properly is nothing short of amazing. Clearly, you cannot simply tell your body to heal itself. This would indeed be an insult to the underlying intelligence that governs these very biological processes!
What we can do, however, is to prime our mind-body in order to optimize and expedite the healing process.
This is what that holistic modalities such as acupuncture, yoga, reiki and other practices have in common i.e. they invite your mind-body to start the healing process.
Scientifically speaking, much of this process happens at the autonomic level.
The autonomic nervous system explained
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are two branches of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body's unconscious actions, such as heart rate, digestion, and pupil dilation. While both systems work together to maintain homeostasis in the body, they have opposite effects on certain bodily functions and can be activated in response to different stimuli.
The sympathetic nervous system is often referred to as the "fight or flight" system, as it is activated in response to stress or danger. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, and diverts blood flow away from the digestive system and towards the muscles. It also dilates the pupils and releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These responses help the body to prepare for physical activity, such as running away from a predator or fighting off an attacker.
The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is often referred to as the "rest and digest" system, as it is activated in response to relaxation or the presence of food. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and increases blood flow to the digestive system. It also constricts the pupils and releases neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, which stimulate digestion and relaxation. These responses help the body to conserve energy and restore balance after a stressful event.
One way to remember the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is to think of the sympathetic system as being activated in response to a "S"ituation, such as stress or danger, while the parasympathetic system is activated in response to a "P"eriod of rest or relaxation.
While the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are generally activated in response to different stimuli, they can also influence each other and work together to maintain homeostasis in the body. For example, the sympathetic system may be activated in response to a sudden loud noise, which increases heart rate and blood pressure. However, once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic system may be activated to bring the body back to a state of balance.
In addition to their roles in the autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems also have specific functions in different parts of the body.
In the cardiovascular system, the sympathetic system increases heart rate and blood pressure, while the parasympathetic system decreases them. The sympathetic system also constricts blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the muscles and organs that need it most during times of stress or physical activity. The parasympathetic system, on the other hand, relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow to the digestive system.
In the respiratory system, the sympathetic system increases respiration rate, while the parasympathetic system decreases it. The sympathetic system also relaxes the bronchial muscles, which allows for deeper breathing and increased oxygen intake. The parasympathetic system, on the other hand, constricts the bronchial muscles and decreases oxygen intake.
In the digestive system, the sympathetic system decreases digestion and absorption of nutrients, while the parasympathetic system increases them. The sympathetic system also decreases the production of digestive enzymes and stomach acid, while the parasympathetic system increases them.
In the urinary system, the sympathetic system increases urine production and urine flow, while the parasympathetic system decreases them. The sympathetic system also relaxes the bladder muscles, which allows for the release of urine, while the parasympathetic system contracts the bladder muscles, which helps to retain urine.
In the reproductive system, the sympathetic system decreases sexual arousal and function, while the parasympathetic system increases them. The sympathetic system also constricts blood vessels in the genital region, which decreases blood flow and arousal, while the parasympathetic system relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow.
In the endocrine system, the sympathetic system increases the production of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, while the parasympathetic system decreases their production. These hormones play a crucial role in the body's stress response, as they help to prepare the body for physical activity and restore balance after a stressful event.
It is important to note that the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are not mutually exclusive, and both can be activated at the same time in response to different stimuli. For example, the sympathetic system may be activated in response to stress, while the parasympathetic system is activated in response to the presence of food. In these cases, the two systems may have opposing effects on certain bodily functions, such as heart rate or digestion.
Overall, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems play essential roles in maintaining homeostasis in the body and responding to different stimuli. Understanding the differences between these two systems can help us to better understand how the body works and how to maintain balance and health.