The heart beats for us day in day out without us having to even think about it. Likewise, the stomach digests, the lungs breath, the eyes blink, and the BRAIN…well the brain is responsible for more than we can ever possibly imagine. Besides integrating the functions of all these other organs, the brain is also integrating the total sum of a lifetime of emotional experiences.  

 

There are actual locations in the brain that are responsible for memory and emotions. These neurons play an important role by utilizing our past experiences and their related emotions to help us AVOID PAIN and instead to SEEK PLEASURE. In doing so, we learn from our mistakes, hopefully not make them again. 

 

However, all too often negative emotions can prevent us from LIVING IN THE NOW by cluttering us with foul memories of the past or the ANTICIPATION of what negative occurrences may happen in the future. Research proves the majority of our thoughts consist of either worrying about the past or the future, rather than living in the PRESENT MOMENT.

 

Fascinatingly, in times of overwhelm, the brain will protect us from painful memories, emotions, and stress by creating actual symptoms to take our mind off the trauma of that memory or event. It does this by constricting blood flow, which inhibits circulation and thus reduces oxygen to the tissues.

 

This constriction is most notably experienced as PAIN: back pain, neck pain, leg or arm pain, numbness or tingling, headaches, stomach or digestive pain and complaints, and a few others such as anxious or nervous states, depressed states, fatigue, depleted sexual performance, and skin complaints. Research is currently proving that emotions and their connection to the physical body may even have their roots in the most extreme of illnesses such as heart disease, auto immune disease, and cancer!

 

Some of us may have experienced stress overload symptoms such as acute stomach aches, ulcers, or maybe debilitating headaches or backaches. During these times of discomfort the brain is literally shouting, “Hey LISTEN UP!! If you don’t rest I’ll make sure you have no choice BUT to take a rest!”

 

It is well documented that students under the stress of final exams are much more likely to become sick. Why?—because the immune system is suppressed during times of stress. So, if it can happen for a cold, why couldn’t it happen for more advanced illnesses?

 

The brain is the physical organ that is responsible for integrating the physical body with the electromagnetic field of the MIND and the immune system. A wide growing body of medicine known as psycho-neuro-immunology, is being supported by physicians like Deepak Chopra MD, Candace Pert PhD and many others. They teach that the Mind itself is actually not able to be identified with the brain alone, but as a field that is a part of every single cell in the entire body. 

 

A favorite story of Dr. Iverson’s is about a young man who came to see him with numerous intestinal complaints, headaches, and overall anxiety. After identifying multiple imbalances in his chemistry, Dr. Iverson gave him a complete nutritional protocol and asked him to return for a follow-up in a couple weeks. The patient returned with a skip in his step and a smile from ear to ear. After re-evaluating the chemistry, the numbers revealed a very balanced and healthy range for his body. Dr. Iverson was excited to hear how the patient felt he was doing on his new plan. After asking the patient responded with, “Yeah Doc! I am so much better! I have to admit though; I really didn’t do anything you recommended. Nope! I fell in LOVE!!!” Wow, this was just another ‘real-life’ example of the POWER OF THE MOLECULES OF EMOTION and their impact on our physical body!

 

Dr. Iverson has spent considerable research on the connection between the mind and the physical effects on the body. His undergraduate degree was in Physiological Psychology (how the brain makes the body work) and his Doctoral thesis was written on the relationship of emotions with cancer progression and its treatment. Every patient at TRILIUM is evaluated for the impact emotions may have on their current condition.