The Power of the Mind: How Emotions Affect Physiology
In our modern world, science is revealing new horizons by showing that psychological influence can directly alter the physiological processes within the body. This fascinating process begins with emotional and sensory stimuli; through suggestion, sensations of satiety or hunger are induced, triggering complex biochemical reactions. Remarkably, influencing perception leads to specific changes: the feeling of fullness can activate processes in the digestive system, while the sensation of hunger may lower immune indicators.The primary mechanism behind these changes is the active work of central brain centers, where the transmission of emotional information along neuronal chains impacts the autonomic nervous system. This process demonstrates the close interconnection between conscious experiences and the body's automatic functions—from metabolism to heart rate and even the operation of ganglia responsible for vital reactions. The possibility of influencing internal processes through targeted psychological stimulation opens up new prospects not only in medicine but also in our understanding of human potential.In conclusion, our emotional state has the ability to influence physiology as significantly as external physical stimuli. Recognizing this interconnection not only expands the boundaries of science but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining an inner harmony for sustaining health and life balance.How can some people influence another's autonomic nervous system and what is the mechanism of such influence? Some individuals can impact the autonomic nervous system through directed psychological influence, whereby suggestion and emotional stimuli trigger automatic physiological processes. Experimental data demonstrate that changing perception (for instance, the suggestion of fullness or hunger) leads to specific biochemical and immunological reactions: suggesting a feeling of satiety can cause digestive leukocytosis, while the sensation of hunger results in a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood; suggesting the idea of abundant drinking increases diuresis, and the sensation of cold triggers "goosebumps" on the skin. These observations indicate that by affecting the central mechanisms of consciousness—specifically through emotions and sensory perception—a cascade of signals is initiated, transmitted via neural pathways, and influencing the functioning of various organs and body systems.Another aspect of the mechanism mentioned in the source is that the human nervous system has close links between the areas responsible for conscious and unconscious reactions. There is data indicating that certain special abilities can lead to changes in the functioning of ganglia—the parts of the nervous system that control the body's automatic functions. This suggests that through specific activation of central centers, it is possible to influence metabolic processes, heart rate, and other vital functions.Thus, the influence on the autonomic nervous system is achieved through the transmission of emotional and sensory information, which affects the brain centers regulating the body’s automatic processes, leading to changes in physiological reactions.Supporting citation(s):"Experiments have shown that the suggestion of a feeling of satiety triggers digestive leukocytosis, and the suggestion of hunger causes a reduction in leukocytes in the blood, just as in actual fasting. Suggesting the idea of abundant drinking leads to increased diuresis. When the sensation of cold is suggested, 'goosebumps' appear on the skin. It is even possible to suggest an increase in body temperature and even a fictitious burn, where a real blister forms on the skin." (source: link )"Just as this brain controls conscious or animal actions (fimctlones animales), the ganglia system controls unconscious or vital functions (functiones vitales). ... Perhaps, in clairvoyants who sometimes describe in detail what is happening inside their bodies, this system is in some particularly excited state, becoming significantly more sensitive. Moreover, it is known to connect with the brain through separate filaments..." (source: link )