Tag: Stress
Does Mindfulness Meditation Work?
For the record. The question is, as always, what is the risk/benefit assessment? I would assume the risk to be small, but that would probably depend on the “dosage” and individual’s mental make up. I’ve had a Vipassana practice off and on for decades, and have also done a lot of self-hypnosis and creative visualization. …
Read MoreImpact of acupuncture for allergic rhinitis on the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
I’m including this here even though it’s only an announcement of a study that will be undertaken, because this was the initial revelation I had so many years ago about the possible link between acupuncture and stress levels. I was trying to make sense of how acupuncture helped allergy and panic attacks since the prevailing…
Read MoreDavid Sinclair on the Potential for Reversing Aging: Hormesis Revisited
The Biochemistry of Longevity is Discussed in this video For any readers who are interested in some of the biochemistry behind the latest science on strategies to age more slowly. Many of the strategies we’ve discussed before, as well as the concept of hormesis. Basically, the current thinking is that we are too comfortable. Never…
Read MoreThe VA is Adopting Tai Chi, Acupuncture as Sustainable Strategies for Health
Veterans Administration Using Acupuncture and Tai Chi to help returning soldiers This is a fantastic article about how the VA is seeing real benefits from adopting more holistic approaches to healthcare. Using Acupuncture to Help With Pain “It’s to help people re-engage with that purpose or meaning that maybe they lost,” Dr. Halmai explains….
Read MoreGV20 Acupuncture Point Can Be Used for Infertility and Conception
This study postulates the G 20, an acupuncture point on the top of the head, activates the HPA, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and causes improved mood and well being leading to increased fertility. I will try to get the full transcript. I’ve been aware of the effect of Sishencong’s (Four Intelligences) on autonomic activity, but not G20….
Read MoreHeart rate variability: Can it serve as a marker of mental health resilience?
This article looks at HRV and how it relates to subjects’ reactions to “stressful laboratory tasks” (sounds dicey!). Subjects with higher vagal activity ( ie higher HRV) before and during the challenges,had improved resilience to tasks and lower markers of stress. This could be a companion piece to this other study which advocates for HRV…
Read MoreOptimal HRV Autonomic Balance State for Flow
Optimal Autonomic State for Enhanced Flow HRV This article turns the Autonomic Nervous System and HRV paradigm on its head. In general, too much sustained Sympathetic Activity leads to poor health outcomes. More depression, poor sleep, poor immunity, inflammation etc… In this study, the authors wanted to see where someone would experience the most “flow”…
Read MoreKiller Stress NHK Documentary Outlines the Perils of Too Much Stress on Your System
I caught this documentary on a recent flight. I can’t seem to find it except on Facebook. It is aimed at the lay person with explanations for the brain areas involved in the stress response, as well as the autonomic nervous system and adrenal glands. As much as I read about stress and the ills…
Read MoreHunger Hormone Helps Memory
From fierce biotech Ghrelin is a hormone that signals hunger After the researchers blocked ghrelin signaling in rats, they observed that the animals showed signs of impaired memory, they reported at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. That led the USC team to hypothesize that ghrelin may also help control memory….
Read MoreVagus Nerve Stimulation Dramatically Reduces Inflammation Psychology Today
This article gives a great summary of recent studies into the vagus nerve and its role in health as the “rest and digest” side of the autonomic nervous system. Clinical and experimental studies indicate that stress and depression are associated with the up-regulation of the immune system, including increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines…When administered to…
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