Emotions and Body Chemicals
What is emotions
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Mental state that
arises spontaneously
For example:
Anger
Happy
Fear/Anxiety
Sad/depressed
Interesting facts about emotions
1.
2.
3.
Affected by society
Affected by time
Affected by intensity
Where Emotions develop in
Body?
Lymbic System
-Hypothalamus
-Amygdala
-Hippocampus
Hypothalamus
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This triggers the physical manifestations such
as the pounding heart and dry mouth that come
with fear.
Amygdala
The Amygdala influences the manners in which
we behave when emotionally aroused. For
example, laughing when happy, and crying
when distressed. It is particularly active in
emotional reactions associated with fear,
anger, flight and defense.
Hippocampus
The Hippocampus is responsible for our
memories of incidents that carry a strong
emotional flavor
Body Structure
Body is a system of -digestion, respiration, elimination
etc
And this system is made up
1. Glands -adrenal, mammary etc.
2. Organs- heart, liver, lungs, etc.
3. Glands and organs are comprised of tissues -fat, bone,
muscle etc.
4. Tissues are composed of cells.
Cells
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Cells are the fundamental functional
(physiological) and structural
(anatomical) parts of the human body
as well as all other living organisms.
Some sources told us that the average
adult human body is made up of "50
million million" (50 trillion) cells,
while others put the figure closer to
10 trillion. Science NetLinks, a
resource for science teachers, stated
that there are approximately "ten to
the 14th power" (that's 100 trillion)
cells in the human body.
Cell continued….
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So just like other body parts….our brain is also
composed of cells. The number of cells in
brain is in millions. Then we have receptors
on the surface of the cell. Example could be
golf ball/ satellite dish/ locks
anything…….detail is in the next slide 
How our brain works?
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The brain is a complex communications network consisting of billions of neurons,
or nerve cells. Networks of neurons pass messages back and forth within the brain,
the spinal column, and the peripheral nervous system. These nerve networks control
everything we feel, think, and do.
To send a message, a brain cell releases a chemical (neurotransmitter) into the space
separating two cells, called the synapse. The neurotransmitter crosses the synapse
and attaches to proteins (receptors) on the receiving brain cell. This causes changes
in the receiving brain cell, and the message is delivered.
Chemicals (messengers)
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Ligands (general terms chemicals) which mean
substance that bind selectively to a specific receptor
site on the surface of a cell and can be natural or manmade substances. There are three kinds of ligands
--Neurotransmitters- serotonin, dopamine,
norepinephrine, GABA and acetylcholine.generally
made in the brain to carry information across the gap,
between one neuron and the next.
--Steroids- harmones testosterone, progesterone and
estrogen.
--Peptide –amino acids made up of protein
What Ligands do?
It is the function of ligands (body chemical) to transmit a
message to the receptor cell that coordinate body functions
such as metabolism, (digestion and elimination), and
respiration on a cellular level. These cellular processes in turn
bring about dramatic functional changes in tissues, glands,
organs, and entire body systems.
At the same time peptides not only coordinate almost all body
functions on a physical level, but also on an emotional level.
These powerful biochemicals are concentrated in the limbic
system (see above), the seat of the emotions, and play an
important role in governing our emotions as well.
Video Presentation
Here is the video which shows the better how it
works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqqq5eme4X
0
Chemical effect
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Neuropeptides (messenger molecules) cause chemical changes in the body that can
improve or weaken the immune system. Once immune cells receive the stress
response alarm, they undergo changes and begin to produce powerful chemicals.
These substances allow the cells to regulate their own growth and behavior, enlist
the help of other immune cells, and direct these to the areas of invasion or other
trouble spots. Studies show that the HIV virus interferes with a peptide associated
with feelings of self-esteem. In one study, patients with full blown Aids, who had
therapy to boost their sense of self and strengthen emotional bonds, survived
statistically longer than expected.
Another example: Rheovirus, which causes common cold, uses receptors for
norepinephrine. If an individual is happy, these receptors are filled with
norepinephrine so happy person is less likely to get a cold.
Examples
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Few Body Chemicals and their effects:
Adrenanline- bad chemical/anger
Endorphins – pain killer, produced by brain
Serotonin – feel good
Ayurveda
Our ancient science of life which is called Ayurveda in
Sanskrit says the same thing that depression/stress is the main
cause of the physiological imbalances or, as the sages would
say, “It’s ama”. Stress puts blockages in our physiology,
thereby impeding the flow of life energy, dampening the
digestive fire and generating “ama”. Chronic stress affects
what scientists call the hypothalamic-pituitary axis
(HPA). The hypothalums(explained above) is the master
controlling region in the brain and the pituitary gland is the
master controlling gland of the endocrine system.
Ayurveda cont..
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Depressed individuals show this pattern of impairment in the
HPA. During the depressive episode, the levels of adrennorcorticotroic
harmone (HCTH) and cortisol secretion increase. The levels of
serotonin, norepinenphrine, dopamine and other biochemicals fluctuate
as an adaptive response to the changes in the HPA. Another affected
biochemical is melatonin, a hormone associated with sleep. Also, when
serotonin is substantially reduced by acute and chronic stress, there is
an increase in the activity of the locus coeruleus, a part of the brain that
affects anxiety, anger, fear and frustration.
Ayurveda in simple words..
In simple terms- Any aggravation of the doshas affects agni (the digestive fire) and
produces ama (toxins). Ama enters the blood stream and circulates throughout the
body, clogging the channels and tissues. This accumulated toxicity will slowly
affect the vital life energy (prana), the immunity (ojas) and the cellular metabolic
energy (tejas), and result in disease. So, ama is the basic internal cause of all
ailments, and it is due to the aggravation of vata, pitta, or kapha. According to
Ayurveda, the key to optimal health is to help the body eliminate toxins and
reestablish the balance of the doshas.
How to control/change
emotions?
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Eating habits-Food is one of the main reason which affects
our emotions through the direct effect of taste, through the
effect during digestive (virya), and the effect after digestion
(vipaka). The resulting doshas and gunas stimulate the
occurrence of particular Emotions. Thus all foods are
moodfoods.
Positive thoughts- Nothing more important that our own
thought process. Most events outside us don't prompt
emotions. It is the interpretation of the event that prompts the
emotion.
Consider laughter -A genuine deep belly laugh floods our
cells with happy brain chemicals. After a belly laugh, we feel
purified, lighter.
Continued…
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Breathing Exercise-Breathing exercises has positive effect on the brain
and the endocrine system. Studies suggest that the practice of these
technique increases serotonin levels, more important, it also reduces
cortisol levels. Hence we can reduce the stress and treats the depression
For example: Kapalbhati and Bastrika breathing excersises both stimulate
the network of nerves in the abdominal cavity that regulates digestion and
metabolism. These exercises trigger the release of two stimulating
substances: epinerphrine and norepinephrine. The latter, is one of the brain
chemical that is deficient in depression. Increasing the levels of this
biochemical in the bloodstream uplifts mood and improves physiological
performance in every way. These also increase resistance to stress through
the probable release of feel good hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin.
….continued
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Meditation -The high and low pitch "tones" of the chant resonating within
the body also enhance Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) flow. This occurs because
the vibrational sound of the chant has a stimulating effect on the liquid
medium of the CSF as it circulates around the brain and spinal cord. Lower
pitch "tones" resonate in the chest and abdomen areas, and affect the CSF
within the spinal column. Higher pitch “tones” resonates in the head, and
therefore impact on the CSF as it circulates within the cranium.
Medicines – From tranquilizers and sleeping pills to alcohol and
marijuana, many classes of drugs temporarily inhibit activity in the locus
coeruleuse, thus reducing anxiety, anger, fear and frustration. Nevertheless,
the effect of these substances is only transient at best and their side effects
are negative. For example: The antipsychotic drugs Haldorl, Thorazine,
Risperdal block receptors dopamine; this can cause GI & immune side
effects; it releases prolactin in women which causes constant PMS.
Conclusion
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We can control our emotions by different ways but
you need to weigh them before applying in your
life……
References
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http://www.healthstresswellness.com/index.asp?pgid=72
http://www.healtouch.com/csft/bodywork.html
http://www.healtouch.com/csft/yoga.html
http://truthseekerjournal.com/1997archive/124_1/15_chemical.html
http://al.turtlecounseling.com/blog/Relationships/Skills/FeelingsandEmotio
ns/_archives/2005/4/7/562962.html
http://lipgravy.com/whitefeatherlibrary/emotionsandfeelings.html
http://www.charisma.org.uk/chapt-8.htm
http://www.rasas.info/body_mind_emotions.htm
http://kr.buddhism.org/~skb/down/papers/152.pdf