Mind-Body Complex – A simple Tour

Although there are multiple theories about the relationship between mind and body, there is substantial evidence that the functioning of the mind is affected by the body and the functioning of the body is affected by the mind, that is, there is an interrelationship between the two.

To keep it simple, we could say that the mind works in the conscious, while the body supports unconscious processes, but nobody has successfully described what constitutes consciousness or how it comes about. And yet it is in consciousness that we experience and evaluate, make decisions, and define who we are.

The brain, where consciousness resides, while itself a physical organ, connects to the rest of the body through the spinal cord and together is called the central nervous system. The brain can be viewed as the processing command centre and the spinal cord as the two-way messaging system. Fundamentally, the messaging is undertaken within the brain and through the spinal cord via electrical pulses and chemicals (primarily hormones and neurotransmitters) via blood flows. Within the brain there are areas that influence the production and flow of these chemicals. The chemicals in turn, give rise to physical sensations in the form of emotions. Two examples of how this operates are stress and stimulation of the vagus nerve.

Stress

Stress occurs when the body experiences an overload. The type and duration of the stress impacts the functioning of the body and can produce states such as alertness, excitement, anxiety, and depression. The body experiences stress through the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters. A simple, but exaggerated example of how this works is the fight-or-flight-or-freeze response. When faced with a threatening experience, the brain detects the threat through an area in the mid brain called the amygdala which signals the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system by triggering the release of the chemicals adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal glands. This causes your heart rate to increase, breathing become faster, digestion slower, and glucose released for energy. Your awareness is heightened to meet the threat, but longer term it causes physical damage and health issues (for example, high blood pressure and a compromised immune system). For some people an extreme threat can cause a shut down of the system (freeze) resulting in dissociation and immobility. Persistent stress can, however, be addressed by working with thought processes, emotions, self-reflection, and self-regulation exercises, that is, mind-initiated strategies.

Polyvagal Nerve Theory

Polyvagal Nerve Theory provides another example of the connection between mind and body. Developed by Stephen Porges, the theory explores how the vagus nerve influences emotional regulation, social behavior, and stress responses. It suggests that the autonomic nervous system (part of the central nervous system) has three states:

1. Social Engagement – When we feel safe, the ventral vagal system supports connection and calmness.

2. Fight-or-Flight – When we sense danger, the sympathetic nervous system activates, preparing us to respond.

3. Shutdown – In extreme stress, the dorsal vagal system triggers immobilization or dissociation.

Under this theory, stimulation of the vagus nerve through simple exercises can shift a person from stressed state to a clam state.

Unfortunately, we often place ourselves in a stressed state through ruminations, avoidance, and over-reactions. The mind influences the state of the body but by working with the body we can calm the mind. An extreme example of this is when a person has a panic attack, when they breath into a paper bag or focus on a nearby object they calm down and gain control.

The mind-body relationship is complex, and we need to pay more attention to what the body is telling us and create awareness so the mind can work with the body.

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