− | Today the immune system is no longer regarded as autonomous and separate from the mind and external events. With the emergence of Psychoneuroimmunology ( PNI), the rise of a new paradigm relating to the practice of medicine can be seen. This new paradigm for the first time integrates the previously dualistic concepts of mind and body. It introduces a new concept where mind and body interact as one, each affecting the other. To date, evidence regarding this mind-body-immune system interaction has been collected with regard to the role of nerve fibers in lymphatic tissues, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the effects of brain lesions on the immune system, the interplay of neurotransmitters, hormones and immune-transmitters. It is being used in research and treatment of AIDS, cancer and bacterial and viral infectious processes. Other researchers are looking at its effects in classic learning and conditioning, the development of the immune system, the impact of experimental and naturally occurring stressors on the immune system, the immune modulating effects of personality characteristics, life style and psychodynamic processes. In the future, research will likely be extended into many new areas including psychotherapy, illness prevention and healing etc. The mind body interaction through the means of indriyas has been emphasized in the present chapter. | + | Today the immune system is no longer regarded as autonomous and separate from the mind and external events. With the emergence of Psychoneuroimmunology ( PNI), the rise of a new paradigm relating to the practice of medicine can be seen. This new paradigm for the first time integrates the previously dualistic concepts of mind and body. It introduces a new concept where mind and body interact as one, each affecting the other. To date, evidence regarding this mind-body-immune system interaction has been collected with regard to the role of nerve fibers in lymphatic tissues, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the effects of brain lesions on the immune system, the interplay of neurotransmitters, hormones and immune-transmitters. It is being used in research and treatment of AIDS, cancer and bacterial and viral infectious processes. Other researchers are looking at its effects in classic learning and conditioning, the development of the immune system, the impact of experimental and naturally occurring stressors on the immune system, the immune modulating effects of personality characteristics, life style and psychodynamic processes. In the future, research will likely be extended into many new areas including psychotherapy, illness prevention and healing etc. The mind body interaction through the means of ''indriyas'' has been emphasized in the present chapter. |
− | Tridosha concept and mind– The findings that the messenger chemicals producing desired changes in the biological system can be seen clearly in the tridosha (humoral) concept. Man was seen as responding to interaction of various humors. They accounted for changes in emotion, anger, rage, love, caring, melancholia, depression, humour and for illness. Almost anything could happen when the humors were out of balance. While these humors did not entirely answer what we needed to know, they were an attempt to understand how and why we acted the way we did. The research findings especially in the area of PNI have proved that blending of the interaction of many chemical, electric and other processes that ultimately make the sum total of who and what we are is done. We have come a long way since belief in the humoral concepts of healing, yet as things often have a tendency to make complete circles, we are now once again recognizing that we are not linear but rather a more integrated or Holistic. The psycho-neuro-endocrine axis can be focused to study the link between thoughts, behaviours, attitudes, emotions on three dosha. | + | ''Tridosha'' concept and mind– The findings that the messenger chemicals producing desired changes in the biological system can be seen clearly in the ''tridosha'' (humoral) concept. Man was seen as responding to interaction of various humors. They accounted for changes in emotion, anger, rage, love, caring, melancholia, depression, humour and for illness. Almost anything could happen when the humors were out of balance. While these humors did not entirely answer what we needed to know, they were an attempt to understand how and why we acted the way we did. The research findings especially in the area of PNI have proved that blending of the interaction of many chemical, electric and other processes that ultimately make the sum total of who and what we are is done. We have come a long way since belief in the humoral concepts of healing, yet as things often have a tendency to make complete circles, we are now once again recognizing that we are not linear but rather a more integrated or holistic. The psycho-neuro-endocrine axis can be focused to study the link between thoughts, behaviours, attitudes, emotions on three ''dosha''. |