Have you ever wondered why so many people suffer from chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and persistent pain despite advances in medicine? Why does it seem to be getting worse? Not better? The answer, I believe, lies in a place you wouldn’t expect: the nervous system.
As our world has evolved, so has its impact on our nervous system. The food we eat, the stress of modern life, the chemicals in the air, and even the makeup we put on our skin impact our nervous system.
Our nervous system controls everything from our heartbeat to our emotions, and it can become dysregulated. So, when you have emotional trauma, it adds even more potential for dysregulation.
What does nervous system dysregulation mean?
Dysregulation refers to a state where the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body, isn’t functioning properly. It’s not a moment of dysregulation, it’s a change to your system. This can happen when the system is either overactive or underactive, leading to a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive problems.
- Normal Regulation: In a healthy state, the nervous system effectively manages stress, controls body functions, and maintains balance (homeostasis). It responds appropriately to stimuli, like activating the fight-or-flight response when thereโs danger and calming down once the danger has passed.
- Dysregulation: When dysregulated, you may stay in a heightened state of alert (overactive), or it may become unresponsive and sluggish (underactive). This imbalance can cause or worsen various health issues.
What are the consequences of a dysregulated nervous system?
When this happens, it can cause or worsen a wide range of health problems. Understanding and addressing dysregulation could hold the key to alleviating or even curing many of today’s health issues.
1. Autoimmune Diseases: Nervous system dysregulation can lead to an overactive immune response, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues. This process contributes to the development and exacerbation of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.
2. Chronic Pain Conditions: Dysregulation can result in heightened pain perception and altered pain processing pathways. Conditions like fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain often involve abnormalities in the nervous system, leading to chronic pain that is difficult to manage.
3. Mental Health Disorders: Dysregulation in the nervous system, particularly the brain’s neurotransmitter systems, is closely linked to mental health disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD. Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine can contribute to mood disturbances and mental health symptoms.
4. Neurological Disorders: Dysregulation influences various neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy. Disruptions in neural circuitry, neurotransmitter levels, or neuronal function contribute to the characteristic symptoms and progression of these disorders.
5. Gastrointestinal Disorders: The gut-brain axis, which involves bidirectional communication between the gut and the nervous system, plays a significant role in gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Nervous system dysregulation can impact gut motility, visceral sensitivity, and immune responses in the gut, contributing to these disorders.
6. Cardiovascular Diseases: Dysregulation can affect cardiovascular health through mechanisms such as increased sympathetic nervous system activity, altered heart rate variability, and inflammation. This can contribute to conditions like hypertension and heart disease.
7. Endocrine Disorders: The nervous system interacts with the endocrine system to regulate hormone production and responses. Dysregulation in this communication can lead to endocrine disorders such as diabetes and thyroid disorders, impacting metabolism, energy regulation, and other physiological processes.
8. Respiratory Disorders: Dysregulation can influence respiratory function, contributing to conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Abnormalities in respiratory control, airway reactivity, and inflammation can be influenced by nervous system imbalances.
9. Skin Conditions: The nervous system plays a role in regulating immune responses in the skin and can influence conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Stress-induced nervous system dysregulation can exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions and affect skin barrier function.
10. Immune System Dysregulation: The overall function of the immune system is closely interconnected with the nervous system. Dysregulation can lead to chronic inflammation, altered immune cell responses, and increased susceptibility to infections, contributing to various health issues.
By focusing on the health of our nervous system, we can better manage and prevent these diverse health issues, leading to a healthier and more resilient population. Click here to read supporting research for these health conditions tied to nervous system dysregulation.
Understanding the link between nervous system dysregulation and various health conditions opens new avenues for treatment and prevention, offering hope for improved well-being and quality of life.
And this is why nervous system healing is key to healing from unresolved trauma.
