Within 21 days of conception our central nervous system which includes the brain and spinal chord has begun to develop. Our senses including vibration, pain, sight, smell, sound, taste, touch, plus information from our internal organs is relayed through the spinal chord to the brain for a response creating our neurological pathways. With this in mind you can begin to understand how long some of our neurological pathways or “adaptive survival responses” have been in place; this is why it can feel difficult to create change in our lives.

Our sensory information is relayed to the lower brain first and if necessary on to the mid-brain where it is integrated with your previous emotional and behavioral responses or “adaptive survival responses”. Based on the information from the mid-brain the cortex makes a judgment and the brain produces peptides that correspond with the emotion. These peptides go out into the bloodstream to find receptors on each cell that respond to that particular emotion and its peptide. So now we know that our thoughts actually produce chemicals in our body and these chemicals are called peptides.

This peptide network expands beyond the brain; it is the language used by cells throughout the body to communicate across systems such as the endocrine, immune and gastro-intestinal systems. We not only experience our emotions according to Candace Pert, PhD author of Molecules of Emotion, they run every system in our body. It is a two way communication between the brain and the body.

Down To The Cellular Level

Every single cell in our body has peptide receptors; the receptors receive the message and transmit it from the surface of the cell deep into the cells interior where the message can change the state of the cell dramatically. Events, feelings, sensations, thoughts and perhaps even spirit or soul release peptides creating a biochemical reaction in our bodies right down to the cellular level. The life of a cell and what it is up to at any given moment, is determined by which receptors are on its surface, and whether these receptors are occupied or not.

Emotional memories (peptides) are stored in every single cell of the body and emotional memory stored through out the body can be accessed from anywhere in the network; not only do cells receive peptides; they produce them. Let’s take a look at the gastro-intestinal system or gut; the entire lining of the intestines is lined with cells that contain peptides, it is entirely possible that this is why we feel our emotions in that part of the anatomy, often referring to them as the “gut feeling”.

What This Has To Do With Health

What, then, is the relationship of mind and emotions to an individual’s state of health?

The peptides and their receptors are the substrates of our emotions, and they are in constant communication with the immune system, the mechanism through which health and disease are created. It is documented that there is a connection between “happy thoughts” and a healthy immune system but, it is also important to feel your anger, fear and sadness the so-called negative emotions. To repress these emotions and not let them flow freely creates blockages and insufficient flow of peptide signals to maintain function at the cellular level, this is what contributes to the weakened immune system that can lead to disease. All honest emotions are positive emotions as long as they are expressed responsibly.

Our Future Is In Our Hands…And Thoughts

So if we know that every thought is creating our future right down to the cellular level it goes without saying that we need to feel good about ourselves and how we conduct ourselves in the world around us. If our goal is to create new thought processes we need to create new neurological pathways and recognize that our emotional responses are “adaptive survival responses” that could have been put into place long before we remember. To create change you need to be present to each feeling or emotion that you experience as it processes through the mid-brain and use the higher brain to make a cognitive choice instead of resorting to the “adaptive survival response” that may not be appropriate for you anymore. Eventually, you will have laid down a new neurological pathway and therefore have a new thought process.

Marie Baker is an AFAA certified personal trainer and fitness instructor teaching classes in aerobics, body sculpting, yoga, Spinning, Resist-A Ball and Pilates. Her most recent certification as an Anti-Aging Fitness Specialist rounds out her knowledge with the latest on anti-aging theories, longevity and nutrition, longevity and lifestyle and anti-aging supplements. She will be earning her degree in Whole Health Education from the New England School of Whole Health Education in Boston this May, 2005.

You can reach Marie by email at mariebaker@unfranchise.com.

Editor’s Note: To read more about Marie Baker, AAFS,
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