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Copyright © 1997, Jay Ligda.  All rights reserved.  Published by Humans in the Universe and Jay Ligda.

Mind/Body Union

      There are similarities between the immune system and the nervous system.  Both take in information--the immune system in the form of antigens and the nervous system in the form of sensory input.  Both can learn and both have memories.  In addition to these similarities, they also make use of the same chemical messengers, neurotransmitters.

      Receptors for neurotransmitters and neuropeptides were discovered on cells in the immune system (Chopra, 1989).  Neuropeptides are hormones secreted by the nerve cells.  Instead of just sending messages through nerve fibers of the nervous system, it seems the brain "circulates intelligence [neurotransmitters and neuropeptides] throughout the body's entire inner space" (Chopra, p. 62).  The immune system responds to these free floating brain chemicals and "mirrors" the nervous system.  Chopra (1989) writes, "if being happy, sad, thoughtful, excited, and so on all require the production of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters in our brain cells, then the immune cells must also be happy, sad, thoughtful, excited" (p. 62).  If the mind is depressed, the immune system will suffer (Pearson and Shaw, 1982).  The various chemical messengers create feelings and emotions.

      The two systems are increasingly being seen as intricately linked into one "network of information" that cannot be separated (Chopra, 1989).  Pert (1990), director of the brain biochemistry division at the National Institute of Mental Health is using the word "bodymind" to refer to the whole system instead of using mind and body as separate words. 

by Jay Ligda

(This work is a all or part of an original work first published/written for John. F. Kennedy University:  Final Integrative Project., Mar1996.)


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References

  • Chopra, D. (1989).  Quantum Healing:  Exploring the Frontiers of Mind/Body Medicine.  New York, NY:  Bantam.
  • Greene, D. (1995).  Embodying Holism:  A Somatic Perspective on Communication.  Dissertation.  Columbus, OH:  Ohio State University.
  • Hanna, T. L. (1986).  "What is Somatics?" in Somatics:  Magazine/Journal of the Bodily Arts and Sciences.
  • Pert, C. (1980).  "The Wisdom of the Receptors:  Neuropeptides, the Emotions, and Body-Mind." Ch. 13 in R. Ornstien & C. Swencionis (Eds) The Healing Brain. pp. 147-158.  New York, NY:  Guilford.
  • Pearson, D. & Shaw, S. (1982).  Life Extension:  A Practical Scientific Approach.  New York, NY:  Warner.

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