The Emotion-Disease Connection

The connection between emotions and physical well-being has been a topic of increasing interest among researchers, healthcare professionals, and holistic practitioners alike. At the forefront of this exploration are leading-edge researchers whose work has contributed to our understanding of this complex relationship, such as Gabor Mate, known for his work on the connection between emotional well-being and physical health. In his book "When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress," Dr. Maté explores the impact of repressed emotions, particularly anger and stress, on the development of various illnesses, including autoimmune disorders and cancer.

Similarly, Dr. Candace Pert, a neuroscientist and pharmacologist whose research focused on the mind-body connection, illustrates in her groundbreaking work, "Molecules of Emotion," the role of neuropeptides in carrying emotional information throughout the body and their influence on health and disease. Louise Hay, an author, medical medium, motivational coach, and the developer of the Emotional Pain Chart (see below), offers, through her life's work, a profound framework that delves into the idea that our bodies may hold onto emotions, leading to the manifestation of various ailments.

Of course, it would be remiss to not include the likes of psychiatrist Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk, known for his research on trauma and its effects on the body. In his book "The Body Keeps the Score," he explores how trauma, including emotional trauma, can become stored in the body and manifest as physical symptoms. He emphasizes the importance of body-centered approaches in trauma treatment as a way to help resolve these traumatic imprints, and to reset the body's stress response.

Dr. Bruce Lipton is a cellular biologist who has also extensively researched the role of beliefs and emotions in shaping human biology. In his book "The Biology of Belief," Dr. Lipton discusses how the mind's perception of the environment can influence cellular function and, consequently, overall health. This fascinating journey inward to explore the cellular and genetic response to stressors lends much insight into the complexity of the human experience and sheds light on the importance of doing all we can to eliminate emotional resonance in our bodies as part of a regular health regimen.

And finally, the work of Dr. Esther Sternberg, an immunologist, who has also explored the interactions between the brain, the immune system, and emotions. In her book "Healing Spaces," she discusses how the environment and emotional experiences can impact the immune response as well as overall health.

These researchers all concur that emotions play an integral role in the health of the human body, and moreover, when the emotions attached to adverse events are still evident in our energetic field as ‘unresolved trauma imprints’, they can been identified as agents that contribute and manifest as disease. E-motion, after all, is simply energy in motion.

We cannot consider the emotion-disease connection without discussion of the role of the Vagus Nerve. The Vagus Nerve is a key player in the felt-sense or emotions within the human body, and is the Commander-in-Chief, reporting to the brain any stimulation of the Fight, Flight or Freeze response, directing a cascade of physiological responses to occur in the body. The felt-sense or emotional charge attached to an external event is what triggers a message of danger or safety, thusly informing the Vagus nerve to respond accordingly. This nerve runs from the brain down the back of the neck, across the cheeks, down the sides of the neck and into the core of the body where it is connected to the internal organs and eventually terminates at the diaphragm. Because this nerve is a direct connection to the deep Limbic brain system, it's primary purpose is to keep us alive, both by keeping the organs functioning through parasympathetic innervation where we don't have to think about breathing, etc., but is also responsible for deciphering incoming messages in the form of emotions that may indicate life-ending danger.

There are two branches to the Vagus Nerve, the ventral and the dorsal, and each plays a role in the management of the stress response in our bodies. While both are responsive and part of the the parasympathetic functions as mentioned above: autonomic organ function, and messaging of potential threats to the safety center of the brain, the ventral branch is responsible for activation while the dorsal branch is responsible for shut-down that occurs with overwhelm.

Scientists and researchers have known for some time now that chronic stress is the number one cause of cardiac issues. Unresolved feelings of hurt, disappointment, and long-standing resentment may also be linked to issues with the heart and cardiovascular system. Chronic emotional stress triggers the body's response by elevating cortisol levels, which can contribute to inflammation and damage to the cardiovascular system, potentially leading to serious heart-related ailments. The longer the chronic stress felt within the body resides, the more damage is done. It is not enough to change lifestyles by only addressing nutritional changes or body weight, one must also deal with the inner realm of emotional health in order to regain optimal health. When we experience a stressful event, we first feel it around our heart. This 'shock' or emotional charge felt in the heart area signals the release of hormones and electrical impulses that race up to the brain and immediately activate the fight, flight or freeze response. If the cycle of this response is interrupted, the stress response continues to 'loop' in the body, actively producing feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, racing thoughts, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, isolation and disconnection, etc.

How does this cycle get interrupted, you may wonder? In some extreme cases, such as accidents, or surgeries, the cycle is interrupted when we become unconscious, either through the event directly, or through sedation or anesthesia. In other cases, smaller events may be traumatizing in the moment, but perhaps we are somewhere where we have to keep it together, such as work, driving, with our children, and we dismiss and 'stuff' the emotional aftermath due to inconvenience. This constant energetic looping of hormones, electrical communications to the brain and activation of the stress response continues to run in the background, unable to close the loop and return to a state of balance, wreaking havoc over time and causing the onset of disease and illness due to this imbalanced state within.

Louise Hay's Emotional pain chart

The introduction of the Emotional Pain Chart as a tool to decipher the emotional roots of physical ailments was quickly adopted by followers of Louise Hay. Her chart maps out the connections between specific emotions and corresponding bodily areas, offering insights into potential links between emotional states and health challenges. The chart is a wonderful tool in that it highlights the limiting beliefs or stories we tell ourselves that come from our emotional experiences: for example, knee issues can be manifestations that reflect stubborn pride/inability to give in, ego, an inability to compromise/inflexibility, and fear. By acknowledging this complex mind-body connection, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their emotional landscapes and work towards holistic healing. It is the stories, the perceptions and the subjective experiences that are stored in the memory bank of the brain, which unfortunately does not have the capacity to screen for accuracy, or temper the impact of events on our limbic brain.

Cancer diagnoses are on the rise in the Western world, and while it is essential to emphasize that cancer is a complex disease with various contributing factors, the emotion-disease connection suggests that unprocessed or suppressed negative emotions may play a role in the development and progression of Cancer, specifically unresolved anger. Many studies have been conducted around this subject where researchers have analyzed the emotional expression of patients' experiencing onset and progression of Cancer (J. Gross, 1989), as well as the link between anger and Cancer (S.P. Thomas et al., 2000). These deep-seated emotional pains and unresolved traumas are believed to create an environment within the body that may contribute to the growth of abnormal cells. As a preventative approach to disease, mental health and the capacity to express, process and resolve emotions in a therapeutic safe environment is crucial to quality of life and freedom from disease.

With the rise of stress and levels of anxiety in our world, it is no surprise that digestive and stomach issues are also on the rise. The digestive system is closely tied to feelings of fear, anxiety, and an inability to process experiences. Individuals grappling with chronic digestive issues may find value in exploring their emotional landscapes to address potential underlying causes. Stress, in particular, has been linked to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Crohn's Disease, emphasizing the intricate relationship between emotions and digestive health. As this region of the body is also innervated by the Vagus nerve, specifically the ventral branch, the organs such as stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, diaphragm, heart and lungs are directly impacted by the stress response's activation.

Chronic pain, including back pain, often has roots in emotional turmoil and unresolved issues, and have been associated with feelings of lack of support, financial insecurity, and a sense of powerlessness. Chronic pain conditions, in general, may be exacerbated by persistent stress and emotional distress, further emphasizing the importance of addressing emotional well-being in the pursuit of pain relief.

Autoimmune disorders involve the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues. Louise Hay posits that deep-seated feelings of self-hatred, resentment, and guilt may contribute to the development or exacerbation of autoimmune conditions. While genetics and environmental factors also play significant roles in autoimmune disorders, understanding and addressing the emotional aspects can be a crucial component of a holistic approach to managing these conditions.

In the consideration of the relationship between emotions and physical health, new cutting edge discoveries in human psychology, and neurobiology is encouraging individuals to explore the potential connections between their emotional states and physical well-being. As we navigate the complex landscape of health, acknowledging the impact of emotions on ailments like hypertension, heart disease, cancers, digestive issues, back pain, chronic pain, and autoimmune disorders can pave the way for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to healing. By addressing emotional imbalances alongside traditional medical interventions, individuals may find a path towards greater well-being and a more profound understanding of the intricate interplay between mind and body, leading, perhaps, to a healthier society as we make emotional health in our personal and professional lives a priority among existing frameworks.

References:

Hay, Louise (1984). You Can Heal Your Life. Hay House Inc.

Lipton, B. (2008). The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles. Hay House Inc.

Maté, G. (2003). When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress. Knopf Canada.

Pert, C. (1997). Molecules of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine. Simon & Schuster.

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.

Sternberg, E. M. (2009). Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being. Harvard University Press.