DR. JAY KUMAR

As you celebrate the joyous arrival of spring and witness nature’s awakening all around, did you know that nature can actually be a healer? While religion and spirituality have always extolled the glory and healing potential of nature in our pursuit to heal and transform both individually and collectively, a similar message is now coming out from science, specifically, from the field of neuroscience. So how exactly does nature heal? The answer resides in our brains and relates to the concept known as the relaxation response, a mechanism that appears to be “wired” into our biology to cope with stress.

Brain Waves and the Power of Attention
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, watching a movie, or reading a book. The other type is an “involuntary or indirect” attention that our brain does with little or no effort, e.g. watching a sunset, meditating, having a casual conversation, or dancing.

Additionally, there are corresponding brain waves associated with these two types of attention. When our brains are engaged in voluntary, direct attention requiring focused concentration, beta waves tend to be predominant. On the contrary, our brains produce alpha waves when we experience involuntary, indirect attention requiring no fixed awareness. The two other brain waves, theta and delta, are predominant during sleep with theta waves occurring in deep-sleep and delta waves during REM dream-sleep.

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.

In our current technologically driven world, we are on average bombarded with 4,000 bits of information/second and about 700 ads a day. The brain is overwhelmed with all this sensory data, as it requires our attention to be in “voluntary or direct” mode and our brains to reside in the constantly stressful beta-waves for the majority of our day while awake. Rarely, do we take the time in our waking state for the brain to go into the calming, soothing alpha-waves and into “involuntary and indirect” attention.

Mind-Body Connection
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 beta-endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, neurotransmitters that enable us to become relaxed, calm, and centered when we’re in stress throughout our day. This evolutionary mechanism wired into our neurology is known as the relaxation response. This built-in relaxation response suggests that our brains and nervous systems enable us to experience a state of calm and relaxation in moments of stress and anxiety.

Natrue as Healer
So can you guess what’s one of the easiest ways for us to enhance the alpha-waves of calm and centeredness and to stimulate our natural relaxation response? The answer, of course, 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, as being in nature is natural for the brain.

According to this field of study, human beings have an instinctual biological need to connect with nature, something known as the biophilic instinct, a concept advanced by the Harvard biologist Edward Wilson. The idea is that humans and the human brain evolved over millennia as beings deeply enmeshed with and inexorably linked to the intricacies of nature. Wilson describes biophilia as the "innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes." Even though our human brain has recently adapted to an environment of technology and sensory stimulation, we each still have this affinity for nature ingrained in our genotype and in our neurobiology. This evolutionary connection to nature activates in the part of the brain known as the insula, the area that governs our internal feelings and sensations. So when we dance, do yoga meditate, focus on our breath, swim, run, or are in nature we begin to connect to the internal terrain of our body. The insula gauges how we’re feeling and what we’re experiencing within our body and mind in the present moment.

Relaxation Response
This ability to tap into the relaxation response through nature appears also to have a tremendous impact on our health and wellbeing. Scientific studies have already begun and continue to demonstrate the powerful healing aspects of nature. Dr. Ulrich published one of the earliest studies in 1984 Science, in which he 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. Ulrich conjectured that this acceleration in healing was perhaps a result of the brain connecting to nature. It appears that when we are immersed in nature, our brains go 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.

When the brain’s 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 produce coherence, the stronger our immune system, our health, and wellbeing. Being in nature, again, is one of the easiest and most effective ways to cultivate this balance of the brain waves and to switch into our involuntary, calm mode of attention. So it appears that science is beginning to validate that nature truly has a profound calming and soothing effect on the mind and our neurobiology. So what better time than spring to get out in nature and experience its healing power! As the poet Thoreau beautifully states, “I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” 

Have a joyous and beautiful spring as you continue Living Your Light®

Dr. Jay Kumar

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We've all heard the phrase "take a breather." So, it now turns out that there's a medical fact behind that saying! Our brains naturally have a "relaxation response" tahat we can tap into through the breath! Learn what the latest research in neuroscience provides for you to experience greater health, cope with stress, and enjoy more calm in your life. Catch the latest podcast of AWAKE with Dr. Jay Kumar on the Doug Stephan Good Day Show.

Remember to relax, breathe, and enjoy life!

Dr. Jay Kumar

www.drjaykumar.com
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The key to authentic health and happiness may actualy be in how you choose to breathe. Enjoy the latest podcast by Dr. Jay Kumar on the Doug Stephan Good Day Show explaining the science, spirituality, and the healing power of the breath!

Remember to BREATHE!

Dr. Jay Kumar

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Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Regardless of whether you are married, partnered, dating or single, I hope you celebrate this beautiful holiday knowing that the power of love is ALWAYS around you! Valentine's Day commemorates the many ways you express love to those in life – your partner, spouse, children, family members, friends, or even with your pets. The emphasis of Valentine’s Day traditionally commemorates the romantic, familial and personal relationships in our lives, not to mention the commercial aspect of the holiday. However, you might be surprised to learn that current medical research now believes that experiencing feelings of love and compassion can actually be powerful healing emotions for the mind and body! Curious to learn how you can heal through the power of love?

So you probably already are aware of the "mind-body" connection, but did you know that scientific and medical research is beginning to advance the existence of a "mind-heart" link? Latest discoveries from both science and integrative medicine are indicating that the human heart is more than just an organ that pumps blood into your body. The big surprise to traditional medicine is that the human heart actually emits an electro-magnetic (EM) field of energy around your body. According to studies from the Institute of Heart Math, this cardiac field of energy is stronger than the one produced by your brain. Imagine that...your heart IS actually more powerful than your brain! This medical breakthrough now makes it possible to understand how different emotions we feel actually produce different frequencies within the body. The most amazing news is that our body’s different emotional frequencies might possibly affect your physical health. Preliminary findings now indicate that emotions of love, joy, and compassion produce stronger and more coherent fields around the human body than do the emotional frequencies of sadness, fear, and anger. Pretty amazing stuff! I guess the old adage “Love is the Cure” is right, after all.

You can learn more about these incredible findings in the two links below by ABC News and the Institute of Heart Math. Each delves into the pioneering science behind the powerful healing potential you manifest with your heart and by the power of love! Feel free also to check out more articles by Dr. Jay Kumar on the science and spirituality of love in the special Valentine's Day "Love" newsletter.

Even though Valentine’s Day occurs once a year, why just let this day be the one when you celebrate love. LET EVERY DAY, EVERY HOUR, EVERY MOMENT of your life become an ecstatic and conscious celebration of LOVE, not only to others but also to yourself. As you honor the sacred and beautiful being that you are, may your love and light shine forth fully and brightly, and always remember that the world would be a much dimmer place without you here! 

The Science behind the Healing Power of Love (ABC News)

Science of the Heart (Heart Math)

Lastly, here's an inspiring and moving video that shows the Power of Love in action. Enjoy!

Dr. Jay Kumar

www.drjaykumar.com
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So you probably already are aware of the "body-mind" connection, but did you know that scientific and medical research is beginning to advance the existence of a "heart-mind" link? Latest discoveries indicate that the human heart is more than just an organ that pumps blood into your body. The big surprise coming out of medicine is that the human heart actually emits an electro-magnetic field of energy around your body. According to studies from the Institute of Heart Math, this cardiac field of energy is stronger than the one produced by your brain. Imagine that...your heart IS actually more powerful than your brain! This medical breakthrough now makes it possible to understand how different emotions we feel actually produce different frequencies within the body. Preliminary findings now indicate that emotions of love, joy, and compassion produce stronger and more coherent fields around the human body than do the emotional frequencies of sadness, fear, and anger. Pretty amazing stuff!

You can learn more about these incredible findings from the two brief videos by ABC News and from the Institute of Heart Math. Each delves into the pioneering science behind the powerful healing potential we manifest with our heart and by the power of love!

Healing Power of Love

Science of the Heart

 

Dr. Jay Kumar

www.drjaykumar.com
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So many of us want to experience more joy, happiness, and health in our life, however, wanting and actually experiencing wellbeing can be two very different matters. In the last blog entry I introduced the notion that health and happiness are intimately connected to our thoughts, and specifically how our thoughts literally rewire our brain. You can read more about that in the "Neuroscience of Health & Happiness." I continue the discussion by exploring how neuroscience additionally suggests that our thoughts play a vital role when it comes to our health and state of mind. Specifically, the key for you to experience genuine wellbeing resides in the power of your thoughts and in the emotional center of the brain.

I’ll give an example of just how powerful our thoughts can be on our brain and body. Scientists at Columbia University conducted an experiment where volunteers were connected to a PET (positron emission tomography) as part of a study to see how neurochemicals in the brain react to pain in the body. The people in the experiment received a pain-producing stimulus of minor heat on their arm. As predicted, the brain registered the pain and released opioids, a neurochemical that relieves pain. The same people were then told to apply a lotion on their arm that they believed was a new experimental painkiller, when in actuality it was just simple body lotion. When the volunteers received the same stimulus, the scientists discovered that higher levels of opioids were produced and secreted from the brain in response to the pain on the area of the arm where the placebo cream was placed. (Full article here)

To quote Dr. Tor Wager, the leading researcher of the experiment, “These results extend our knowledge of how beliefs and expectations affect the brain's neurochemistry and show that one's mental response to a challenge can affect the brain and body in ways that are relevant to health….Understanding these interactions can pave the way for new treatments that are informed by knowledge of mind-body interactions.” In essence this amazing research now validates the adage that our psychology does indeed influence our biology!

The point here is that science is only now beginning to understand the power of human thought, an idea that has existed for millennia in indigenous medical system and in spiritual traditions throughout human history. I’ve always believed that the next major scientific breakthrough will occur when we truly understand the vast capacity of human consciousness and how we ALL ARE HEALERS! As Dr. W. Ross Adey of the Brain Research Institute at UCLA rightfully declares, “The ultimate creative capacity of your brain may be, for all practical purposes, infinite.” I would like to amend his statement by saying, “The ultimate healing capacity of your brain may be, for all practical purposes, infinite.” 

Always remember just how amazing, and incredible you are. The key to your health and happiness is to cultivate more empowering thoughts, intentions, words and emotions as part of your daily life. I will discuss more ways in which we can do this in the next blog. Until then, keep on Living Your Light® as you keep on Believing In Your Light!

Dr. Jay Kumar
www.drjaykumar.com
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So what makes you happy? What is the connection between your brain and health? You may be surprised to learn that recent advances in neuroscience offer a deeper understanding of how a healthy brain equals a healthy body and being! A phrase I advance is that happiness is not something that happens to you, but rather happiness is something you choose. We all want to lead a happy and healthy life, but one key to cultivating health and happiness may reside in your brain, and more specifically with the power of your thoughts. In this first of two posts, I discuss the neurobiological component to happiness and what the latest research in neuroscience provides for you to cultivate more happiness and wellbeing in your life.

One of the greatest discoveries to come out of neuroscience in the past couple of decades is the concept of neuroplasticity. Basically, neuroplasticity describes the ability for our brain to rewire and restructure its neural structure and anatomy. A key phrase in neuroscience is, “Neurons that fire together wire together.” What this means is that over time our collective experiences and thoughts that we repeat about who we are and our environment become neurologically wired in our brain. In essence our psychology creates our biology. As we experience the various thoughts and feelings throughout our day, they actually leave traces behind in the neural structure of the brain. If you spend your entire day worrying about what others think about you or thinking about how miserable your life is, those very thoughts begin to form a neural network that wires together cementing that concept in your mind. Conversely, if we can cultivate more gratitude, self-forgiveness, and compassion toward ourselves, we can begin to rewire these “neural nets of negativity” into a healthy brain and being.

The neuropsychologist, Dr. Rick Hanson, nicely states, “The mind is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones.” I’m sure many of us can relate to this idea, but why is that our minds tend to remember the painful, negative experiences but not so much the joyous, happy moments? There’s actually a neurobiological answer that has to do with something called a “negativity bias.” At the University of Washington a study revealed how a negative experience remains wired into our brain more strongly than a positive one. In fact, it takes up to five positive experiences to outweigh a negative thought! Neurobiologists believe that this “negative bias” of the human brain was an evolutionary trait that helped early humans survive by allowing the brain to react to, remember, and recall life-threatening experiences. Imagine you were an early human chased by a lion; your brain would store that information into a neural net, recalling that memory as a survival mechanism. The lesson is that in order to experience authentic happiness, we actively have to focus on the positive to overcome the negative experiences in our life that our brain has imprinted into our consciousness.

The last item to mention is that of mirror neurons. In the past 15 years, neuroscientists discovered that our brain possesses mirror neurons that are responsible for us to feel compassion and empathy toward others. There exists a part of the human brain known as the insula, which is the area activated when we tap into our internal feelings and sensations. So when we dance, do yoga meditate, focus on our breath, swim, run, or are in nature we begin to connect to the internal terrain of our body. The insula gauges how we’re feeling and what we’re experiencing within our body and mind in the present moment. Since neuroplasticity demonstrates that the brain is capable of growing at any age in life, we can enhance the development of the insula. So why is this so important, you may wonder? Brain scans reveal that people with more developed insula tend to have more developed mirror neurons, which enable us to become more self-aware, compassionate, caring, and empathetic toward others. It is this notion of compassion and empathy toward others that allows us to experience greater happiness and wellbeing on a daily basis.

The more we can begin to focus on all the abundance, gratitude, and joy inherent in our life rather than going through life in worry, doubt, pessimism, and fear, the more healthy and vibrant our brains become. When the human brain and body are healthy and strong we tend to cultivate the “four C’s” of calmness, contentment, caring and creativity. In the next entry, I’ll discuss specific ways in which we can entrain our brain to create more healthy neural pathways through daily exercises and techniques to cultivate a happy brain, body, and being. Finally, I leave you with this empowering message, “No external conditions are required for happiness. Happiness is who you are!” Until then, keep on thinking happy thoughts as you continue Living Your Light®. 

Dr. Jay Kumar
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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
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