“The ultimate healing capacity of your brain may be, for all practical purposes, infinite." Dr. Jay Kumar
Check out the latest podcast from AWAKE with Dr. Jay Kumar on the Doug Stephan Good Day Show. In this episode we discuss how neuroscience now validates the power of our thoughts and intentions in our healing process. A really great episode!
AWAKE & ENJOY!
Dr. Jay Kumar
In the last blog, I discussed the powerful ways in which Nature heals and transforms us. The key resides in our brain being able to drop in to the healing and soothing brain wave state, known as Alpha waves. This issue explores exactly what the various brain waves are along with the deep and intimate connection between our human brain and body. You may have heard the phrases “Your psychology influences your biology,” or “You can think your way into disease.” Well, scientific research now validates much of the mind-body connection and deep understanding of how your brain waves are the key to your health and wellbeing. In the growing medical field of psycho-neuro-immunology (PNI), there appears to be a correlation between the various brain waves with one’s health and wellbeing. Let’s briefly explore the four brain waves and their function in our health.
At its most fundamental level the universe is merely energy that fluctuates and manifests at various frequencies. The same holds true for all living matter, including your brain, and some suggest even the human heart. (More on that in a later blog) The machine that measures brain waves is known as an Electro-Encephalo-Graph (EEG) and organizes the brain waves based on their wave-frequency in Hertz/sec. The four commonly accepted brain waves among scientists are: Alpha, Beta, Theta, and Delta, with some suggesting another possible Gamma state.
The brain waves are further divided into “waking versus non-waking” states of consciousness. Beta and Alpha waves are produced when we are awake, while Theta and Delta during sleep. Beta waves are predominant when our mind requires focus, attention, and alertness. They are also produced when the brain is in high stress or “fight-or-flight” mode, in turn, triggering adrenalin and cortisol into the body for survival. We experience Alpha waves, on the other hand, when our mind and body are awake yet calm and relaxed. Think of the difference you feel when stuck in a traffic jam late for your flight or relaxing on the beach hearing the waves and watching the sunset. In the first scenario, your brain is functioning in Beta waves, while in the latter in Alpha. The other two brain waves, Theta and Delta, are generally found when we are asleep, although there appear to be exceptions to this observed in the waking state of deep meditation or conscious breathing. Generally, the brain produces Theta waves during light sleep and when we dream, while Delta waves are found in deep, dreamless sleep.
So what then is the connection between these four brain wave states with our health and wellbeing. The answer resides in allowing all four brain-wave states to be in balance and equally manifest throughout our day. Unfortunately, our fast paced, technologically driven lifestyle creates a disruption in this important harmony. When our brains and bodies are in constant stress and amped up due to the fast-paced, caffeine-addicted, plugged-in, multi-tasking life that we have created, we spend our day predominantly in a Beta-wave state. Furthermore, Beta-waves are accompanied with the release of cortisol, the stress-hormone that eventually may lead to chronic anxiety, illness and disease. The famous Stanford neurobiologist Dr. Robert Sapoltsky’s enlightening book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, observes that in the animal kingdom those animals that are prone to aggression, anger, and violence, due to an increase in cortisol and adrenaline, are also the ones with the weakest immune systems. (Watch video here) It now appears that the same observations are found in our human biology. When we are constantly in stress, anxiety, anger, fear, or worry, our immune system and health are considerably weakened.
The good news is that Alpha waves can counter the chronic harm of being in continual Beta-wave states. Alpha waves produce beta-endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, neurotransmitters that enable us to become relaxed, calm, and centered during the stress experienced throughout our day. When the alpha and beta waves are equally in balance throughout our waking day, we experience psycho-physiological coherence, a deep and profound state of integration of the body and brain. The longer we can remain in psycho-physiological coherence, the stronger our immune system becomes enabling us to be whole and healthy. So how can we experience more Alpha to balance out the Beta-waves in our daily life? The answers can be as simple as being in Nature, making love, laughter, deep-breathing, or meditation. (Watch Video to Learn How)
The important thing is to cultivate balance in your day between work, rest, and play. The human brain, thus, can be a very valuable organ in our quest for a healthy body, mind, and spirit! As Dr. W. Ross Adey, of the Brain Research Institute at UCLA, says, “The ultimate creative capacity of your brain may be, for all practical purposes, infinite.” I refine this statement by saying, “The ultimate HEALING capacity of your brain may be, for all practical purposes, infinite!”
Keep on LIVING YOUR LIGHT® in balance of brain and of body.
Dr. Jay Kumar
www.drjaykumar.com
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ALOHA FROM KAUAI! I hope that this article finds you all doing well and enjoying life as much as I am immersed in the majesty and beauty of Nature. Sitting on my lanai enjoying a balmy jasmine-scented evening while a stunning moon rises over the mountains and ocean, I’m intimately reminded of the powerful lessons that Nature offers us in our pursuit to heal and transform, both individually and collectively. So how exactly does Nature heal us?
To answer that question let’s look at the power of human attention and human brain waves. Neuropsychology now believes that the human brain allows us to process two distinct types of attention. The first is a “voluntary or direct” attention that enables us to focus our thoughts and neural energy to tasks that require our direct concentration, e.g. writing this article or driving a car. The other type is an “involuntary or indirect” attention that our brain does with little or no effort, e.g. watching a sunset or meditating. Additionally, there are corresponding brain waves associated with these two types of attention. When our brains are engaged in voluntary, direct attention, beta waves tend to be predominant, versus the alpha waves when we experience involuntary, indirect attention. The two other brain waves, theta and delta, are predominant in sleep with theta waves occurring in deep-sleep and delta waves in REM dream-sleep.
In the growing medical field of psycho-neuro-immunology (PNI), there appears to be a correlation between the various brain waves with our health and wellbeing. When our brains are highly amped up in focused direct attention for long hours at a time, we live our day predominantly in a beta-wave state accompanied with the release of cortisol, the stress-hormone that eventually may lead to chronic anxiety, illness and disease. The good news is that involuntary, indirect attention produces the alpha-waves that produce serotonin, the neurotransmitter that enables us to become relaxed, calm, and centered when we’re in stress.
While having our brain in beta-wave state is important, as it helps us to focus on daily tasks, unfortunately, many of us live a typical life with our brains disproportionately in the stressful beta-wave state and barely enough time in the healing and regenerative alpha-wave state. Unlike theta and delta waves that occur predominantly in sleep, the healing and regenerative properties of alpha waves are produced only when we are conscious and awake. When the alpha and beta waves are equally in balance throughout our waking day, we experience psycho-physiological coherence, a deep and profound state of integration of the body, mind, and brain. The longer we can remain in psycho-physiological coherence, the stronger our immune system becomes enabling us to be whole and healthy.
So how, then, can you cultivate more alpha-wave states throughout your day to help you maintain coherence? The answer is NATURE! Another emerging field of study, known as ecopsychology, advocates that even though the human brain is currently shaped for our modern and technologically-driven environment, its original function was to interact with and respond to the natural world in which it evolved over the millennia. In essence, the human brain is literally “hard-wired” to BE IN NATURE, and human beings have an instinctual biological need to connect with Nature, something known as the biophilic instinct.
Scientific studies have already begun and continue to demonstrate the powerful healing aspects of Nature. Dr. Ulrich, who published one of the earliest studies in 1984 Science, noticed that patients who were recovering from surgery healed more quickly and required less pain medication when placed in hospital rooms that had views of Nature, versus patients placed in rooms facing brick walls. Why is that? Perhaps it is due to when we are in Nature, our brain goes automatically into the involuntary, indirect attention-mode that is connected with the healing alpha-wave brain state. Research suggests that even a short walk in the park during your lunch break, touching a tree on your walk to the office, or literally “stopping to smell the roses” once in a while is beneficial, as it is an evolutionary trait that our brains evolved to do. Furthermore, even passive contact with Nature such as viewing an open pasture in your car or hearing the sound of birds chirping from your window can have the same powerful benefits as an actual immersion in Nature.
So even if you’re not on a tropical island like Kauai, know that a simple thing like having a plant in your office, a picture of a beautiful scenery on your desk, or simply staring out your window at the trees every couple of hours can connect you to Nature. The point is that Nature is a powerful teacher and healer offering us lessons in our pursuit for genuine peace, love, and abundance, and health. There is a wonderful proverb from ancient India that says, “Hope is Nature's way of enabling us to survive so that we can discover Nature itself.” It is with this intention that I hope you continue Living Your Lightâ as you revel in and benefit from the immense healing power of Nature.
Dr. Jay Kumar
www.drjaykumar.com
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The August newsletter is now available online here. This month's issue is dedicated to the lessons Nature offers us in our quest for health and wellbeing. Read a great article on how science is now discovering that just a few minutes in Nature can reduce stress and promote wellness. Check out a great video of how even animals in the wild are bound to Nature's laws. A really great issue now ready for viewing.
Keep on Living Your Light®,
Dr. Jay Kumar
How are we emerging to a new paradigm of healing? How does our individual view of the world shape our collective worldview? Learn how recent scientific theories substantiate what the spiritual traditions have always been saying throughout the ages- that the personal and planetary are intimately interconnected. Our individual actions, thoughts, and feelings have the ability to empower or disempower the Whole. Learn more in this exciting dialogue with Dr. Jay Kumar
Dr. Meg Jordan on 'Medicine in the 21st century: Emergence of a new Global Health Paradigm' (Dec. 16, 2010)
So what will health and medicine look like in the 21st century? What are the challenges that humanity faces in order to achieve authentic health? How do media and culture influence our individual and collective perceptions of illness and wellness? Helping us explore these questions on today’s show is my guest today, Dr. Meg Jordan.“Medicine in the 21st century: Emergence of a new Global Health Paradigm”
Meg Jordan PhD, RN, is a woman who has motivated millions to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Author, speaker, international health journalist, registered nurse and a clinical medical anthropologist, she is one of the most recognized names in health and wellness reporting. Dr. Jordan is Department Chair and Professor of Integrative Health Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. She is also known as the "Global Medicine Hunter" for syndicated radio on Health Radio Network, host of “Healthy Living on Global TV and numerous specials for NBC “Today,” Discovery and CNN. Dr. Jordan searches the globe for healing remedies, traveling to remote and exotic places, confirming the best of traditional practices with modern science. Her books include The Fitness Instinct and a forthcoming Adventures of a Global Medicine Hunter. You can learn more about Dr. Meg Jordan at www.megjordan.com
Check out the latest episode (My 13, 2010) of Reality Sandwich with guest Dr. William Stewart, acclaimed author, physician and Director of The Institute for Health & Healing at California Pacific Medical Center as he shares his insights on integrative medicine and tips on how you can achieve "personal and planetary" health from his book Deep Medicine.
Want to become relaxed and centered in just a few minutes? Then check out this easy self-guided 10-minute breathing and centering exercise that you can do anytime throughout your day. Enjoy, Breathe and Keep on Living Your Light! Jay
