The Evolution and
Application of
Mind-Body Medicine
Jeffrey Benton D.C., C.T.N.
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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Presentation Outline
 Historical overview of Psycho – neuro- immunology
 Historical overview of the Emotional Trauma Release
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Technique™
Storage vessels for emotions
The ‘startle reflex’ and its involvement in storing Traumatic
events
Live Demonstration
ETRT worksheet
Q&A
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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In our world today Science as
we know it is undergoing a
revolution. For decades
respected scientists in a variety
of disciplines have conducted
experiments which prove
humans are not just a
composite of bones, flesh and
chemical. There is now proof
that at the core of our essence
is a pulsating energy field
which connects and
communicates with every
other thing in the world.
Praying 1984 Oil by Alex Gray
Weaving medicine back together: mind-body medicine in the
twenty-first century.
Gilbert, MD J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Aug;9(4):563-70. Review. PMID: 14499032
 In the past century, the medical profession has taken pride in the
rapid and often effective advancement of diagnostic technology,
surgical interventions, and pharmaceutical remedies.
 However, it has also witnessed the unraveling of the woven
connection among mind, body, and the human soul. The history
of the fall and rise of the concept of mind-body medicine is
discussed, along with a review of the recent laboratory and
clinical studies providing evidence of the direct connection
between mind, body, and belief systems. Relevant components of
a mind-body skills group program for clinical practices are
addressed.
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Where we came from – the gene
 1944 – the discovery that DNA actually contained hereditary
information. Scientists isolated pure DNA from 1 species of
bacteria - species A, and added it to a culture which only had
another species of bacteria species B. Within a short period of
time species B displayed traits that were formerly only species A.
 1953 – Watson and Crick presented the structure of the DNA
double helix.
 1960 – Alexander Rich determines the DNA-RNA combination
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Genetics vs. Epigenetic
Inheritance or heritability was defined as the transfer of
phenotypic traits from parents to offspring through
genetic processes.
Genetic processes involve genes and DNA sequences that
are passed on to future generations through gametes
(egg and sperm). Ex. Mendelian genetics
Epigenetic processes involve an ensemble of heritable
changes in gene activity that, do not implicate any
change in DNA sequence, but can nonetheless be passed
on to future generations through gametes.
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Epigenetics – ‘above genetics’
 Nijhout, HF, Metaphors and the Role of Genes and
Development, 1990 Bioessays 12(9):441-446
 The notion that genes control biology is a supposition that
has been disproven by scientific research.
 Nijhout summarizes “When a gene product is needed, a
signal from its environment . . . activates expression of that
gene.
 In other words, when it comes to genetic control “It’s the
environment stupid”.
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Origins of endocrinology
 The first neuro-peptide was discovered around the turn of
the century (1902). The substance was named secretin
because it was shown to act on a dogs intestines to stimulate
secretion of pancreatic juices.
 This astounded physiologists who up until that time
assumed that all physiological function was controlled by
electrical impulses from the nervous system.
 Radioimmunoassays in the 1970s confirmed the final
endocrine role of secretin (what receptors it acts upon)
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Origins of endocrinology
 The first peptide to ever be replicated outside the body is
oxytocin. This substance is released from the pituitary gland
during childbirth. It binds with receptors in the uterus to
induce contractions.
 This is the first neuro-peptide – whose end point was in the
body.
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 In 1972 Candace Pert discovered opiate receptors in the brain
and neuro-peptides.
 “Most psychologists treat the mind as disembodied, a
phenomenon with little or no connection to the physical
body. Conversely Physicians treat the body with no regard
to the mind or the emotions. But the body and the mind are
not separate, and we cannot treat one without the other.”
Candace Pert
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What is
Psycho neuro endocrino immunology?
The field in the 1970’s was psychology
Information Substances (IS) are neuro-
peptides - the discovery of numerous
neuropeptides.
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Where we Came from
 Pert’s discovery of the opiate receptor started a revolution
that would later create profound shifts within nearly every
field of modern medicine.
 This discovery would ultimately unite immunology,
endocrinology, neurophysiology, psychology and biology
into a cohesive theory about how our thoughts and emotions
are capable of creating wellness or disease in our bodies.
 It would explain and validate what Eastern healing
traditions, shamans, energy healers and most alternative
practitioners have understood for eons.
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. Foss L The necessary subjectivity of bodymind medicine: Candace Pert's
molecules of emotions. Adv Mind Body Med. 1999 Spring;15(2):122-34.
 This article discusses the relevance of Candace Pert's
Molecules of Emotions (1997) to the development of
bodymind medicine and argues that Pert's research and
conceptual analysis provide the missing link connecting the
messages of the mind to physiological effects in the body.
 The research and analysis also present a fundamental
challenge to both the reigning body of medicine and the
scientific commitment to so-called ‘objectivity’ by positing
that a human organism that can act upon itself with
thoughts and feelings--that is, through subjectivity.
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Jacobs GD. The physiology of mind-body interactions: the stress
response and the relaxation response. J Altern Complement Med.
2001;7 Suppl 1:S83-92
 There are key differences between mind-body medicine and
alternative medicine. A central tenet of mind-body medicine
is the recognition that the mind plays a key role in health
and that any presumed separation of mind and body is false.
 The literature on mind-body medicine comprises more than
2000 peer-reviewed studies published in the past 25 years.
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What is
Psycho neuro endocrino immunology?
 Pert’s research helped to create the foundation for an
entirely new interdisciplinary branch of science called
“Psychoneuroimmunology” or PNI.
 PNI unites the three classically separated sciences of
neuroscience, immunology and endocrinology and their
associated glands and organs into a multidirectional
communication network, linked by information carrying
molecules called (neuro)peptides.
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Where are we Headed ?
 As the pioneering researcher Candace Pert wrote, “the
conceptual division between the sciences of immunology,
endocrinology, and psychology/neuroscience is a
historical artifact.”
 mind-body-immune-endocrine system connection
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Where are we headed ?
mind-body-immune-endocrine-
heart-connection
mind-body-immune-endocrine-
heart-chakra connection
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Reversible left ventricular dysfunction
precipitated by emotional stress
 Researchers evaluated 19 patients who presented with left
ventricular dysfunction after sudden emotional stress. All
patients underwent coronary angiography and serial
echocardiography; five underwent endomyocardial biopsy.
 CONCLUSIONS: Emotional stress can precipitate severe,
reversible left ventricular dysfunction in patients without
coronary disease. Exaggerated sympathetic stimulation is
probably central to the cause of this syndrome.
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The Biology of Belief
With decades of groundbreaking research in the area
of cellular biology, Dr. Lipton says he’s discovered that
people have the power to control their own gene
activity and all the cells in their body through their
personal thoughts and beliefs.
“It is the changing of the protein’s
electromagnetic charges that is
responsible for their behavior
changing movement, not DNA.”
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Evolving into a comprehensive
program to bridge the mind-body
with the Spirit to unblock the
pathway to let spirit come down
and do the healing
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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99% vs. 1%
The familiar reality is the physical 1 percent material
realm in which we live.
Yet without the 99% there wouldn’t be a 1%.
Look around
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99% vs. 1%
 Look around
 What do you see?
 How did it get here ?
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A modern representation
of the human body
A bio-energetic
representation of the
body
From the psychic energy system
Alexgray.com
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Another step in the evolution of
the mind-body connection
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Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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What is an Emotional Trauma?
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Oftentimes, the event is so severe that that
you remember the event, as a defense
mechanism, so your reticular activating
system (RAS) is now hyper-vigilant so
you never repeat the occurrence.
This phenomenon is known as: ‘fixation of
emotion’.
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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Disease: Triggered by Unexpected
Shock & Traumas
 Dr. Ryke Geerd Hamer discovered that not only cancer but
all diseases are triggered by unexpected shock & traumas.
 Hamer proposed that cancer stems from emotional-psychic
causes that remain unresolved over long periods of time.
 According to Dr. Hamer’s observations the body is able to
heal itself of most cancers if the patient is given therapy &
support for de-programing & releasing the harmful effects
of the shock-conflict on their body.
 He has been prosecuted for his practices by many in
academic & traditional medicine.
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Inherited Family Trauma:
The Romeo and Juliet cascade
 Montague’s and the Capulet’s generational fued
 Hellinger observed that many of us unconsciously "take
on" destructive familial patterns of anxiety, depression,
anger, guilt, aloneness, alcoholism and even illness as a
way of "belonging" in our families. Bonded by a deep
love, a child will often sacrifice his own best interests in
a vain attempt to ease the suffering of a parent or other
family member.
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How long does it last ?
Now, 20 years later, you don’t need that defense
mechanism anymore – but you don’t know how to
turn it off.
This is because emotions have no expiration date,
unlike a carton of milk.
It’s as if the emotion has been affixed to a particular
event – and every time you think of the event that
associated emotion appears.
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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Epigenetic changes happen in mammals
 Researchers taught two groups of male mice to fear odors by
zapping their feet with an electric shock every time they blew
scented air into their cages. The experimental group became
afraid of cherry blossoms with a hint of almond, and the control
group feared alcohol.
 After three days of fear conditioning, the cherry blossom mice
later reproduced. The resulting offspring, having grown to
adulthood, had a heightened jumpiness to the cherry blossom
smell, despite never having been exposed to it. They could also
pick up on lesser amounts of cherry blossom in the air, which
reflected their changes in olfactory and brain anatomy.
 to the next generation.
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Epigenetic changes happen in mammals
 The findings were also verified by comparing the epigenetic
markers on the DNA of sperm, specifically on the gene
responsible for detecting cherry blossoms. On the sperm of
the cherry-blossom-fearing mice, there was less of the
methylation that can silence genes, possibly pointing to a
mechanism of how the information got passed down.
 Through a process dubbed “reprogramming,” these
epigenetic markers were thought to be erased. But recent
research — this study included — has shown that some of
these markers may survive
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PTSD Mothers have children with
higher sympathetic system activation
 These results demonstrate that children of
mothers, who themselves have history of
childhood physical and emotional abuse, have
higher dark-enhanced startle as well as greater
sympathetic nervous system activation - as
compared to children of mothers who do not
report a history of childhood physical and
emotional abuse.
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ETRT was developed in 2002 to effectively address the
“fixations of emotions” held within the body.
The end product is a more neurologically integrated
and healthier person. ETRT is a natural healing
procedure that disconnects your behavioral
reaction from a traumatic event.
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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How does ETRT Help You?
ETRT helps normalize unresolved
physical and/or behavioral patterns in
the body that occur from trauma.
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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How does ETRT work ?
 Muscle Testing as a method to receive neurological feedback
 Hydration and accurate Muscle Testing
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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What is muscle testing –
how does it work
 In 1964 George Goodheart D.C. the founder of Applied
Kinesiology (AK) discovered that muscles can be turned off
(inhibited) or on (excited) by numerous stimuli.
 All people are designed with a fascinating energetic and
neurological monitoring system.
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 Applied Kinesiology is about excitation and inhibition of
neural pathways.
 AK is a series of sensory receptor based diagnostic
challenges followed by monitoring of manual muscle testing
outcomes.
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 As stimulus based organisms, changes can be observed
through autonomic somatic and windows which can be
monitored.
 Examples of various autonomic windows that can also be
monitored include pupil light response, blood pressure,
heart rate, startle reflex etc.)
 AK techniques are about testing and modifying receptor
stimulation results in a net effect of optimal neurological
function which leads to optimal health.
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 Examples of a somatic window includes changes toward
normalization of muscle facilitation / inhibition (as
measured in muscle balance, range of motion, deep tendon
reflexes)
 and through the changes in muscle testing responses.
 These responses are termed conditional facilitation and
conditional inhibition and are dependent on the conditions
present at the instant of the muscle test
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How does ETRT work ?
 Startle response – is a response to sudden, startling stimuli.
Ex. Sudden noise, unexpected touch.
 Physiology of the startle response includes cessation of
breath, and increase of sympathetic response.
 An individual's emotional state may lead to a variety of
different responses – based on their epigenetics and life
experiences. (See slides 31-33 above)
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The “ Startle ” Response
ETRT unwinds the “Startle”
Response
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Now let’s look at how life
trauma creates interference in
your nervous system.
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The 3 Classifications of Trauma
 Shock Trauma
 Emotional Trauma
 The mix
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Putting it All Together
ETRT Diagram
Shock
Trauma
Emotional
Trauma
Shock +
Emotional
Hidden
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Live Demonstration
 Volunteer from the Audience
 Take a Before picture
 Complete the ETRT evaluation form
 Take an after picture
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When the nervous system is
working properly, and the
brain is able to
communicate with the body
without interference, you
have 100% function.
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Balance of Health
Copyright J.D.Benton 2013-2014
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For more information
Email: lightthc@gmail.com
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Science has not proven everything
 Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma related to
gravitational challenge: systematic review of randomised
controlled trials
 Gordon C S Smith, professor1 and Jill P Pell, consultant2
 Study selection: Studies showing the effects of using a
parachute during free fall.
 Main outcome measure Death or major trauma, defined as an
injury severity score > 15.
 Results We were unable to identify any randomized controlled
trials of parachute intervention.
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What’s the next step
 “The word ‘incurable’ just
means we do not know the
answer right now.” — Dr.
Valerie Hunt
 UCLA Professor Emeritus
Founder: Bio-Energy Fields
Foundation
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