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Acid Alkaline Imbalances |
Emotions and the Endocrine Glandsby: Dave Cowan One reason I admire and respect Chinese Medicine is because of how it integrates emotions with the physical body. In particular, there is a direct correlation in Chinese Medicine between specific negative emotions and their impact on specific organs. We hold anger in the liver, grief in the lungs, fear in the kidneys, the ‘loss of joy’ or sweetness in life in the pancreas. These emotional themes must be considered in a holistic assessment of issues involving these organs as underlying causes of weakness or disease. These unreleased or ‘sticky’ emotions suppress the life force and functional level of the organs leaving them vulnerable to pathogenic attack. Often ‘stuck’ emotions can be lodged in the Acupuncture Meridian system, even within a particular point, creating a blockage that results in no or little ‘light information’ available to the organ in essence the organ is cut off from the incoming chi vital to it’s health. As emotions are experienced however, there is a more immediate impact on the Endocrine glands. Fear creates a release of Adrenaline, for example, which triggers an instant set of changes we call the ‘fight or flight’ response with numerous physiological effects. These responses include heightened mental alertness, higher blood pressure, muscle tensing, lack of appetite, suppressed digestion and sexual desire, along with rapid and shallow breathing. Those of you who are Certified Biofeedback Practitioners will be very familiar with these stress-related responses, which can become chronic and a major cause of illness. Along with the nervous system, the Endocrine System is involved in the control of practically all bodily functions other than muscle movement. There are two ‘bridges’ between these systems, the Medulla of the adrenal glands and the Hypothalamus. The Hypothalamus controls Autonomic functions, the Pituitary Gland (and all it controls) and release of other hormones. It is involved with regulating body heat, fluid balance, sleep, appetite, and the emotions of fear and pleasure. It also helps coordinate the body and environment, influencing the pineal gland by its interpretation of light conditions. Let’s look at a summary of the main Endocrine Glands, their hormones, functions, and the emotions associated with them. Bear in mind there is not necessarily a direct ‘cause and effect’ relationship between emotions and glands it could be that the gland suppressed for other reasons contributes to these states. It is best to recognize a relationship which could go either way. The Pineal Gland
Emotions: Affected by SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder. Use full spectrum lighting in winter months. Anterior Pituitary
Posterior Pituitary
Emotions Feeling inadequate and out of control. A moody, changeable temperament where feelings dominate over logic. Thyroid
Emotions Feeling stifled, overwhelmed, powerless, victimized, unfulfilled and ‘left out’. With low Thyroid are often feelings of loss, even when there isn’t any. We also see ‘fragile’ emotions, dislike working under pressure or supervision, depression and low self esteem. Parathyroid
Emotions (low parathyroid) Mood swings and exhaustion Thymus
Emotions not feeling protected or safe, feeling attacked or others are ‘out to get me’. May appear to age prematurely. Pancreas
Emotions ‘loss of sweetness’ in life, feelings of rejection, frustration Gonads
Emotions Stifled creativity, feeling unsafe with one’s sexuality, not accepting one’s sexuality. Emotions can contribute to impotency and frigidity. Adrenal Medulla
Adrenal Cortex
Emotions timulated by anger, fear, and anxiety. Depressed by defeatism, feeling overpowered, lack of self-care and self-approval, being angry at oneself. |
