Perfect and Imperfect
I found this interesting article. This type of study on the function of our brain and bodies has always fascinated me. It is a condensed explanation on the progression of brain/body responses.
My conclusion after reading this; We do not live in a perfect world with perfect responses, perfect reactions, perfect relationships...nor are our bodies perfect. One thing I am so thankful for is being able to see the beauty in the imperfection within me and all around me, and within the imperfection I am reminded that I do have a perfectly programmed brain and body from my Perfect Creator and these functions are constantly being interrupted by this imperfect world.
I hope you find this interesting.
Brain/Body Bio-Chemistry
From the moment of birth, when we take our first breath, until we bid this world good-bye and take our last, our entire life's experiences have been recorded in astounding detail. Our ability to recall information, react to situations and make decisions has been going on non-stop from shortly after our conception. As the heart is continuously pumping its life-giving fluid and oxygen throughout the body, so the brain is acting as control-central, sending electrical information to each and every bodily function both in consciousness and in coma. From the slightest change in temperature, to the full alert of a fight or flight response, the brain is always on and has everything under complete control . . . .or does it?
Our mind's ability to produce logical and rational decisions is subjectively based on the brain's chemical balance or imbalance at any particular moment. If we were brought into this world as relatively genetically balanced neural-chemically, if we experienced little or no emotional trauma, chemicals or drugs, chances are that we grew up as a balanced, healthy, loving adult. But what about the rest of us? As our brain chemistry is constantly changing and as events unfold in our lives, so too are our physiological responses, which in turn, affect our brain chemistry. So the cycle continues, deeper and deeper into a condition we refer to as disease. Be it mental or physical, it is still dis-ease or imbalance.
Human babies enter this world as the most dependent, complex and slowly developing of all mammals. In a sense, we are only partially developed. Over the next 10 to 12 years, our brain function, motor skills and personality develop into who we will be as adults. While our brain is building neurons at an astounding rate, memory is being formed both consciously and subconsciously that will ultimately affect us for the rest of our lives.
It is said that there are only two basic human emotions, love and fear. All other emotional responses are just sub-categories or a combination of neural chemical responses to the above. As we experience life, our brain is continuously processing information; sorting, filing, recording, referring back to past situations and projecting into the future, to determine what necessary chemicals will be required for any particular encounter. This information is transferred from all of our sensory perceptions; sight, smell, touch, sound and taste. Thousands of sensations are all processing continuously in the name of survival, comfort and the chemical satisfaction of the senses.
Of the possible hundreds of brain chemicals, only about fifty have been identified. One of the major brain chemicals and pathways is Dopamine (DA), which is associated with the emotions of love, energy, euphoria, emotional response, automatic movement, etc. Another is Serotonin (5HT), which is thought to be involved with sleep, relaxation, sensory perception, temperature regulation, control of mood, etc. Oxytocin (OT) improves memory and is connected with bonding, love and compassion. Noradrenalin (NA) is associated with the stressor hormones, fight or flight response, epinephrine, cortisol, adrenaline and others.
In a perfect world of love, free of fear, chemicals and contamination, our brain chemistry would remain in balance for our entire life. But our modern society has created a different set of rules. As our neurons, brain cells and memories are in their early years of formation, we are developing our sense of self. Any trauma, fears, attacks or perceptions of a threat to our self, sets off the fight or flight chemical response. This response is then logged into our permanent memory bank for instant recall at a later date. The problem begins to arise after the perceived threat has passed. The chemical imbalances never reset themselves back to zero. The brain now has a new baseline and the senses have been elevated in anticipation of the next seemingly threatening situation. Over years and even decades of constant fear, stressor stimulation and continuing chemical imbalance, the body starts to physically break down. It has valiantly been doing its job of protecting and adapting. The immune stressors of the brain signals constant fight or flight response. Coupled with the influence of toxic metals, chemicals and drugs, the brain creates a disease or a system failure waiting to happen. The sensitive neural conditioning actually starts to take on the appearance of post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD's or an autoimmune disorder. As the body conditions itself to excessive adrenalin, cortisol, etc., the normal hormone and chemical responses decrease, creating other symptoms and dysfunctions. This same scenario could be re-created through a sports activity, carrier, the need to succeed, peer pressure, family, illness, chemical sensitivities, etc. The excessive, prolonged release of cortisol and adrenalin is just now being recognized for it's catabolic nature and contribution to weight gain, sleep disorders, body tissue breakdown, neurological dysfunction, etc.
There is also the ever-present influence of over 70,000 known chemicals, food additives and neural toxins in our environment. These toxins are slowly eroding neural receptors, our cognitive capacity, the ability to cope and our neurological response time. Our brain functions on millions of electrical impulse circuits, while most of the predominant heavy metals are nonconductive in nature. As the brain naturally strives for balance or homeostasis, it can develop false cravings, excessive eating disorders, alcohol and drug dependencies, etc.
The treatment of brain chemistry imbalances with the use of prescription drugs is only masking the underlying condition. The designed action of the drug is to block receptor sensitivity or neutralize the excessive natural chemicals without addressing the original creation of the condition. Over time, as the underlying condition worsens and we go to stronger and stronger masking agents, we eventually have to deal with our imbalanced nature through the physical manifestation of disease. .......
http://ssl.maxamlabs.com/MAXAM_ASP_CMS_Templates_STD_HTML.asp?PageINDX=14
So as I look to my Creator for healing this imperfect mind and body, I find it, then I can pass on this gift of His healing Love.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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