The science of the mind/body connection, or psychoneuroimmunology(PNI), helps explain how the circumstances of our lives can affect our bodies. Until fairly recently, scientists believed that information was passed linearly in the nervous system from nerve to nerve, similar to electrical hard wiring. But now we know that our body organs communicate directly with the brain and vice versa, through chemical messengers called neuropeptides. These neuropeptides pass messages between nerve cells; neuropeptides receptor molecules then receive messages that are triggered to be released by emotions and thoughts. It was believed that the cell's receptor sites for neuropepides were located only in the brain and nerve tissue. Due to the research by Dr. Candance Pert and others, we now know that these receptor sites are found throughout the body-in the endocrine and immune system cells, as well as in nerve cells. In addition, body organs such as the kidney and bowel also have receptor sites.

These chemicals are part of the way in which thoughts and emotions directly affect our bodies. "Our thoughts, emotions, and brain communicate directly with our immune, nervous, and endocrine systems and with the organs of our bodies."¹

Dr. Christiane Northrup, in her book Women's Bodies Women's Wisdom, told the story of one of her patients who went to see a biofeedback therapist about shoulder pain caused by chronic muscle tension. During her relaxation training she noticed that her muscle tension increased whenever she was thinking certain thoughts. One of these thoughts was about her husband's ill health and it's possible impact on her. On the other hand, when she thought of the positive aspects of her life, her muscle tension lessened. She came to realize that her fears and beliefs were encoded in her body. Through biofeedback this patient learned that her muscle tissue had feelings, thoughts, and memories that were part of her body's knowledge. Dr. Northrup calls it "the body's wisdom".

How we listen to our body; it's subtle messages and not so subtle messages, as back pain, ongoing bladder infections, ulcers, illness, chronic sore throats-could be our body wanting our attention. Each of us must develop ways to tune in to our bodies needs. Whether it's through prayer, meditation, biofeedback, yoga, psychotherapy, or talking with a friend-be open to the messages and mysteries of your body and it's symptoms. Be eager to learn and slow to judge.

¹Christiane Northrup, M.D. Womens' Bodies, Womens' Wisdom (New York:Bantam Books,1995) p.30

Dr. Sherman is a psychotherapist in practice in Hermosa Beach. She is a member of the Independent Psychotherapy Network.

back to article of the month