Do you remember when I was writing the Healing Plan how many times I mentioned the amygdala in blog posts? I felt like I was saying it constantly! Essentially, the amygdala is a part of our 'old' brain that helps control our emotional responses, especially fear ones. I was saying that, if we experience trauma …
The key to depression, obesity, alcoholism – and more? Why the vagus nerve is so exciting to scientists
That's the title of a great article in The Guardian about the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a two-way communication channel, linking the brain with the heart, lungs and a number of other vital organs. This pathway helps to control involuntary processes, such as breathing, digestion and immune response. Over 200 years ago, scientists …
Quote Of The Week
Part of the way I approach any chronic illness nowadays is psychological - mind-body-healing and vagus nerve work mainly - as well as the biochemical/nutrition/functional medicine side. When someone experiences a traumatic event, the sympathetic nervous system activates the fight or flight response to respond to danger. For some people, the nervous system gets stuck …
The Words You Use Matter!
I really enjoyed this piece recently where the author talks about our use of words, both in how we talk to ourselves and with others. They can make a real difference. Do your words harm you or heal you, do you think? How can we learn to rephrase things so it helps us and others …
How To Be An Empowered Empath Rather Than A Victim
Many of us are 'empaths' people who feel pain and emotions strongly and particularly pick up on others'. I am, and I notice that many people who suffer chronic illness are too. It's often perceived negatively - the number of times I have been told or tell myself I am 'too sensitive' are too many …
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Sensate: A Way To Improve Vagal Tone
Just to say I have added the new Sensate wearable device to the Vagus Nerve Factsheet as an easy way to improve your vagal tone. Why a picture of a cat? Keep reading... For those of you who have the factsheet already, here's the added bit. For those of you who don't - you are …
New Vagus Nerve Factsheet
At last, I know some of you have been waiting for me to finish this one! The new Vagus Nerve Factsheet is now out and ready for you. You can see more and get it here. This 24 page factsheet is small, but mighty-powerful, especially if you have a chronic digestive, hormone, immune or mood …
Why Anxiety Is Not Always All In The Mind
Funnily enough, I am just doing a Case Review to help someone work out why they are suffering with quite severe anxiety, and then this pops up in my Inbox today. I thought I'd share it. I often have to try and explain to patients that anxiety - and depression often come to that - …
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Us Sensitive People Rule The World!
Great to see an article extolling the virtues of hypersensitive people and calling for us to be recognised as important in society. One in five of us struggle to cope with everyday smells, sounds and images. Rather than a weakness, this extreme sensitivity could be a strength in everything from the pandemic to the climate …
Nature Therapy for Cancer
We all know that wandering about in a forest or by the sea is good for us. But what you probably don't know is that it results in significant, measurable changes to the immune system. I came across this fascinating article from the Townsend Newsletter the other day, which really puts the benefits into scientific …