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Stress is real. It can produce illness which has been coined as “stress induced illness”. There are a diversity of reactions to stress.
In brief, stress causes increases in adrenal gland hormones including corticosteroid and catecholamine. These hormones actually inhibit white blood cells and cause the thymus to shrink. Suppression of immune function often results in direct proportion to the level of stress.
The study of the spiritual-emotional connection to the immune system through the brain is called psychoneuroimmunology. This concept is that an individual’s beliefs and emotions are not separate from physiology.
In general, stress has three basic components: 1) the event that appears to trigger the problem, 2) the personality that responds with distress, and, 3) the coping skills available to the individual. This might explain why the same stress could get different reactions from different people.
Our emotional reaction to events consequently varies, based in part on our enzymatic system. Information about our disappointments, for example, may proceed in our nervous system in a normal way, or be abnormal, due to inconsistent amounts of the catecholamine secretion. The brain can exert biochemical influence on the immune system through cortisol, a chemical central to the stress response. This adrenal corticosteroid has a powerful effect on NK cells and T-Lymphocytes, especially those in the thymus.
Thus emotions expressed in the brain can cause the hypothalamus to release more cortisol. It is believed that the adrenal hormones link psychosocial and emotional factors to the immune system.
In the middle 1980’s Karen Bulloch of the New York State University at Stonybrook found a direct anatomic connection between the brain and the immune cells. She traced nerve fibers from the brain to the thymus, lymph nodes, spleen and other tissues which are rich in lymphocytes. These fibers are a part of the autonomic nervous system and react strongly to stress.
Large concentrations of vitamin C have been found in the adrenal glands, essential in the formation of adrenalin. Thus, when one is under stress, a great deal of C is depleted. Vitamin C has consequently been used therapeutically to help reduce the ravages of stress.
Health has been described by the World Health Organization as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being. This is more than just having the absence of disease. The first step towards health is for an individual to take responsibility for his health, as discussed. Next is to take the appropriate action.
Abraham Maslow, who coined the term “self actualization”, may have had the right idea of mental balance and wellness. He basically asserted that healthy people (whom he focused on) are motivated toward reaching their full capabilities and talents. This occurs after several steps are thoughtfully taken. First, one must fulfill one’s biological or basic needs, such as food and shelter. The second level to be achieved is to feel physically secure in one’s environment. The next level to be healthy in development, according to Maslow, is the fulfillment of emotional needs or the act of being loved and loving. The fourth critical step is that of self esteem or approval, as well as recognition and acceptance by others. When all of these levels are achieved, one may then become self actualized, having a harmonious psychological balance. When a person is self actualized, they appear to have a greater tranquility which can reduce stress on their immune system.
In the book, Anger Kills (by Redford Williams MD, and Virginia Williams, Ph.D.), research reveals that “hostility is not only a serious barrier to happiness, but can lead to heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses.” It states that hostile men with high cholesterol have larger adrenaline responses to stress. A weak parasympathetic nervous system and a weak immune system seems to be biological characteristics of hostile people.
There is evidence which is emerging suggesting that immune systems may be weaker in hostile people. Studies show that hostile people not only have demonstrated increased cardiac problems, but also increased cancer. It is thought that this is due to a decrease in the NK cells, which, as you may recall, are those which fight tumors.
The parasympathetic system is characterized by a slowing or calming down reaction. This is the opposite of the sympathetic system, which results in “fight-or-flight.” Acetylcholine is the chemical which can neutralize adrenaline, and thus put a brake on the increased effects of stress.
The neurochemical basis of hostility is rather interesting. It has been found through statistical research that those who scored high on a particular rating test to assess hostility exhibited more anger, and aggressive tendencies. Their behavior demonstrated stronger responses of the sympathetic system, and less responses from the parasympathetic system. People with an abnormal amount of neurotransmitters may show hostile behavior. It is not known at this point in time if genetics play a part in the amount of neurotransmitter secreted.
It is known at this time that low levels of serotonin can be linked to high irritability and aggression, increased eating, weight gain, increased alcohol consumption or smoking and other addictions, and decreased parasympathetic nervous system activity. Thus low serotonin can increase sympathetic output while decreasing parasympathetic output, which is the same pattern observed in hostile persons.
Studies which have involved animals and humans document that raising the brain serotonin levels can cause appetite suppression, and weight loss. The converse is also explained, that is, the tendency of persons with low serotonin to eat more and appear to have higher cholesterol levels.
Some research suggests that the act of eating causes the release of serotonin within the brain. Nicotine stimulates a specific serotonin receptor in the brain, which might explain the reason it is so addicting. Tryptophan (serotonin precursor) has been given to people who have stopped smoking to raise their serotonin levels, and thus lower the biochemical need to eat and gain weight.
A reduced amount of serotonin has been implicated to be lacking in the fluid of the brain and spinal cord of alcoholics. This suggests that low serotonin function in the brain may predispose one to drink more alcohol. A test was performed on rats which appeared to drink as much alcohol as water. When given a serotonin enhancing drug (Prozac) they avoided alcohol but not the water, which they drank plenty of.
The connection between aggressive behavior and serotonin levels is still being investigated. It is interesting to think that a serotonin dysfunction could be the answer to understanding and potentially curing hostile aggression, or alcoholism.
There have always been methods of stress reduction such as Transcendental Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, music, etc. Lately therapeutics have emerged such as Art therapy, Recreational therapy, message therapy, and so on. These are aimed towards increased relaxation and stress relief. Currently there are even special glasses, with visual patterns synchronized to audible tones which have subliminal messages in an effort to reduce stress.
Dr. Dean Ornish (Author of Eat More, Weigh Less) completed a revealing research study. In this study, forty-one heart patients with coronary artery blockages severe enough to show ischemic changes on an ECG were followed up upon after being put on a special program. In this study he found that with a comprehensive program of dietary fat restriction, meditation, exercise, Yoga, plus group sessions designed to discuss stressful things. Amazing results were found: Compared with the nineteen subjects in the routine care group, the 22 in the special program showed actual shrinkage of their ST depression and improved heart muscle function without drugs or surgery.
Similarly, in a Montreal study of heart attack victims conducted by Dr. Nancy Frasure-Smith some patients were randomly assigned to receive routine care. Others received the routine care but also received an intervention program involving a nurse who personally called upon them on a regular basis, asking the patients how they were doing. If they had a problem, they would be given an opportunity to discuss it until it was resolved. The extra social support, hence, appeared to lower stress.
A study at Duke showed that there were higher death rates in unmarried heart patients when they had no one to confide in. The ability to channel concerns with another human appears to have benefits. The dramatic results of this study showed that there were higher deaths and more heart attacks in the group which did not have the added support, or the “stress relief” component.
Research studies have found that behavioral changes can occur in association with vitamin deficiencies. For example, tetra-hydrobioperin, a vitamin-like compound, has been found in reduced amounts in depressed patients. This vitamin-like compound functions as an essential coenzyme in neurotransmission. Folic acid, vitamin B12, and ascorbic acid appears to stimulate the production of this coenzyme.
A lowered vitamin B1 deficiency has been noted as being present also in psychiatric patients, and results in metabolic acidosis and altered brain chemistry. There has been a great deal of documentation indicating that behavioral emotional and mental processes are enhanced with B6. The most common nutritional deficiency worldwide is of folic acid, especially in psychiatric disorders.
Feelings and thoughts are basic consequences of nerve transmission and are dependent on amino acids. Synapses between the spinal cord, brain occurs with amino acids. Therefore deficiencies in protein, can affect behavior.
A deficiency of ascorbic acid can result in lassitude, and hysteria. A lack of biotin may cause extreme lassitude, somnolence, and depression. Low amounts of folic acid have yielded forgetfulness, insomnia, apathy, irritability, depression, psychosis, and dementia. If one is deficient in niacin, hyperirritability, mania, memory deficits, anxiety and organic dementia can occur. This may be due to the low tryptophan where niacin is synthesized from.
As previously mentioned a thiamin deficiency can cause Korsakoff’s psychosis. If pyridoxine is missing (B6) tryptophan metabolism will also be reduced. Choline is an important by product of amino acids (methionine and serine). The integrity of cell membranes is dependent on choline. Choline converts into acetylcholine (neurotransmitter), therefore it is important in memory and nerve transmission. Acetylcholine is essential in the myelin sheath.
Historically the use of some oral contraceptives has been associated with some nutritional deficiencies such as B12, folate, riboflavin, B6, ascorbic acid, and zinc.
Caffeine is found not only in coffee, teas and colas, but also, in many over the counter pills. A typical cup of coffee may contain 50-150mg of caffeine. There is a clinical syndrome for those who consume up to 7500mg of caffeine which has symptoms of nervousness, heart palpitations, irritability, recurrent headaches, and panic disorders.
Carbon monoxide, a known toxin to the brain, and nicotine enter the body through smoking. Nicotine stimulates the adrenal hormone secretion of cortisol which inhibits the uptake of tryptophan by the brain.