by Megan Caper | healing, health, Neurology
It’s a challenge being educated in the sciences, with both a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in biological and health sciences, and simultaneously receiving intuitive insights about how our bodies and minds function that science hasn’t yet fully proven. Yet, time and again, I’ve applied these insights with clients to significant success, often before scientific research catches up.
So, it’s time for me to come clean with what I know. In the last couple of years, I’ve had two significant insights about our brains. Some aspects of these have already been corroborated by scientific research, so I know they’re emerging knowledge that most likely will be proven true soon. I’m sharing them in the hopes they can benefit other healers or anyone seeking deeper understanding.
Both insights center on the brain. Today, I’ll discuss the glial cells and next week I’ll discuss what I’ve seen about the pineal gland.
What does current science say about about glial cells? Traditionally, it was thought that these cells are like the backstage crew to the neurons, making sure everything runs smoothly. They support and protect the neurons, keep things balanced, and even wrap around neurons like a cozy blanket in the form of myelin. There are different types of glial cells, each with its own job. For instance, astrocytes are the brain’s helpers, giving neurons what they need to work properly. And then there’s the clean-up crew, the microglia, which act like a vacuum, picking up unwanted debris. And while all this is true, what I’ve seen intuitively is that glial cells do much, much more. In fact, I no longer believe neurons are the stars of the show, I think glial cells control much more of what goes on in our brains than neurons do.
While neurons are vital, forging connections and relaying information, glial cells are the brain’s dynamic orchestrators. They traverse our brain’s expanse, making real-time adjustments and guiding its operation. I’ve come to see that glial cells might be pivotal in understanding conditions like dementia, age-related cognitive loss, and the recuperation from brain injuries. To draw an analogy, if our brain was a skyscraper, neurons would be the building materials, but glial cells? They’d be the masterminds behind its design and function.
From what I’ve seen, glial cells seem to possess superior intelligence, interacting seamlessly with various body systems and adapting swiftly. They’re attuned to our external and internal conditions, from immune system status, to cardiovascular states, as well as nutrition, hydration and emotional states. Glial cells influence the intricate choreography of neurons in our brain and spinal cord in response to what’s happening in the rest of our body and mind.
Glial cells play a pivotal role in recovery from various cognitive injuries or diseases, ranging from brain fog related to chemotherapy, to brain injuries and strokes. These cells orchestrate the healing process, discerning the optimal pathway for recovery. If there’s damage to the brain or spinal cord, glial cells devise strategies to preserve functionality. Moreover, they aid in mending the structural and functional impacts of complex trauma (CPTSD), rewiring the brain to establish a foundation of safety and belonging, replacing feelings of fear and abandonment.
If you want to know more, or you believe delving into this might aid in healing an ailment or injury, please reach out. I’m happy to talk about this more! Like, good luck getting me to shut up about it! Glial cells are fascinating! (Yes, I know I’m a giant nerd.)
Xo Megan
by Megan Caper | healing, health, Neurology, wellness
Life’s deepest truths often manifest in the whispers of the soul long before they find validation under the microscope. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a new branch of modern science and it stands as a testament to this, unraveling the tangible connections between our thoughts, emotions, and physical health—a connection that ancient healing traditions have known about for eons.
In the intricate tapestry of our being, PNI highlights how psychological processes can influence our immune system and overall health. Studies have shown that specific brain regions, like the amygdala, activate in response to perceived threats, initiating a cascade of physiological responses that can influence immune function.
The dialogue between our emotional world and our cells is not merely poetic—it’s scientific. Neurotransmitters and the wisdom of our immune system bridge our feelings to our physiological responses. For instance, PNI research has shown that negative emotions can lead to a suppressed immune response, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
Parallels Between PNI and Traditional Healing
The parallels between PNI and traditional healing modalities are myriad and research backs up what mind-body healers have know for years. Here are some of the ways that ancient modalities are being studied via PNI:
- Mindfulness and Meditation: Each moment we spend in stillness and introspection reverberates with healing. PNI studies indicate that regular meditation can reduce inflammatory responses in the body, affirming ancient spiritual practices.
- Stress and the Immune Response: When ancient wisdom speaks of disrupted inner harmony, PNI research echoes, demonstrating how chronic stress can elevate cytokines that promote inflammation.
- Energetic Healing: The concept of energy or life force in traditional systems might seem abstract. Yet, PNI helps ground this, revealing how our emotional “vibrations” can influence molecular pathways in our immune system.
- Balance and Harmony: PNI, in its essence, underscores balance—a balanced mind fostering a balanced immune response. It’s no surprise that heightened cortisol levels, markers of stress, have been linked to decreased immune responses.
- Emotion, Thought, and Health: As PNI research emerges, it reveals startling truths: prolonged feelings of loneliness, for instance, can alter immune function, making one more susceptible to illnesses.
How can we integrate PNI findings with ancient healing techniques? Here are a few ideas of how merging the ideas of these two worlds can bring about even greater healing.
- The Power of Belief: The placebo effect, long a subject of wonder, showcases our innate healing powers. PNI research reveals how mere belief can modulate immune responses, resonating with the spiritual premise that our internal beliefs shape our external reality.
- Personalized Healing: Marrying intuition with PNI insights allows for holistic healing—after all, research has shown that an individual’s emotional state can influence their response to treatments.
- Holistic Lifestyle Emphasis: The age old wisdom of sages, combined with modern PNI findings, like how diet can influence mood and immunity, invites us to a holistic health journey.
- Mental Well- Being and Spiritual Health: Inner tranquility has always been revered in spiritual traditions. PNI now lends scientific credence, showing how practices promoting mental well being can enhance immune function.
As we align ourselves with the universe’s rhythm, the confluence of age-old wisdom and modern PNI research guides us towards holistic well being. This dance of mind, body, and spirit, steeped in both spirituality and science, invites us to a path of genuine health and harmony.
Xo Megan
by Megan Caper | Happiness, healing, resilience
In a world that’s infinitely large and paradoxically small, our hearts are filled with constellations of emotions, swirling around a black hole of past pains and heartaches. In my recent healing sessions with clients, a recurring theme keeps presenting itself, begging to be dissected and understood: the phenomenon of the hardened heart.
You see, a heart doesn’t simply become stone overnight. It’s a gradual transformation, born from the crushing weight of betrayals and disappointments, often inflicted by the very people we’ve anchored our trust to. There’s an irony in the fact that a heart turns to stone not because it’s inherently cold, but because once upon a time, it loved too fiercely, too vulnerably.
When we delve into the anatomy of our hearts, it’s not just about ventricles and arteries. It’s about its chakra, the invisible torus shaped energy field it radiates, and the pericardium—its shield against life’s many adversities. These facets can all be wounded, not just by physical maladies, but by the invisible scars of emotional upheavals.
You’ve probably met them—the individuals who seem impenetrable, like fortresses. But behind those walls, their heartbeats tell tales of their past. It’s a silent, rhythmic communication. A coded message that’s felt, not heard. It’s in the hugs we share, the hands we hold, and even in the spaces between our words.
We’re taught to idolize independence and to wear our emotional armor with pride. Yet, beneath that facade, we’re all made of stardust, yearning for connections. To be authentically human, to truly feel alive, we need to let our guard down. We need to remember that our essence thrives on interconnection vulnerability, on being soft-hearted.
So, how do you un-break a heart that’s weathered many storms? The answer isn’t found in grand gestures, but in the myriad of small moments where we feel truly seen and cherished. Whisper to yourself, “In this vast cosmic expanse, I have a place, I am seen, and I belong.” Think back to those moments, perhaps laughing with friends under a canopy of stars or feeling the universe’s pulse while standing at the edge of the sea, where you felt like you were valued . Where you felt like you belonged.
Notice these fleeting moments. Hold onto them. They’re like fragments of shooting stars, brief but illuminating. Amidst the chaos of our existences, you have the innate power to mend your heart, stitch by stitch. Because, after all, we’re all just stories in the end, and yours is one worth living with an open heart.
Xo Megan
by Megan Caper | healing, health, illness, physical
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body’s own immune system begins to attack healthy cells, like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease. Statistics reveal that over 80% of those diagnosed with autoimmune diseases are women. But why is this? Scientists have long tried to figure out the factors that create this significant gender imbalance.
After 20 years of working with women worldwide suffering from various autoimmune issues, I’ve uncovered a crucial link.
In our contemporary Western culture, women are often trained from a young age to be “good girls” who are always kind, caring, and make sure everyone around them is comfortable and happy. However, society’s “good girl” blueprint subtly teaches us self-abandonment. After years of prioritizing others’ needs above our own, we come to diminish, or even forget, our own needs entirely.
By striving to emulate this idealized version of womanhood, we unintentionally inflict harm upon ourselves. The “good girl” mantra that tells us to be kind, pleasant, and put others’ comfort first, might paradoxically be the trigger point for autoimmune diseases.
In the holistic model I advocate, our bodies and minds are a unified system. By constantly demonstrating “good girl” behaviors and incorporating self-abandonment into our worldview, we instigate changes in our immune system. If self-abandonment is devaluing one’s own needs and prioritizing others’, autoimmune diseases mirror this at a cellular level. Just as self-abandonment represents an attack and devaluation of oneself, autoimmune diseases constitute a similar internal assault. Our immune system falters in caring for our own cells, just as we falter in caring for our own needs.
So, how do we begin healing? A significant first step is learning to establish boundaries. This means learning to say “no,” disappointing others, prioritizing your own needs, and acknowledging that adhering to the “good girl” norm can be harmful.
I advise you to practice self-care more assertively. Stop caring about others’ reactions to your actions. Ensure your own needs are fulfilled and you are comfortable before considering others’ feelings. Even though this seems like a significant shift, if you’ve been confined to “good girl mode,” being a bit more self-focused won’t transform you into a selfish person. You’ll just become someone who takes a moment to consider their own needs before attending to others.
This perspective shift and repair of cellular damage is integral to my client sessions. Using energy healing and coaching to reverse years of conditioning and associated dysfunction in the limbic and immune systems is essential for overcoming autoimmune diseases. If this approach resonates with you, I’d like to invite you to sign up for a consult call on my website. We can talk about your health issues and I’ll explain a bit more about how I work and what methods may be best for your next level of healing.
by Megan Caper | healing, health, illness, physical
The human body is a complex, interconnected system in which the mind and body cooperate to sustain overall health. If you’re dealing with chronic illnesses, you may have come across the term ‘neuro-immune connection’. But what does it mean, and how is it related to your health journey?
The Neuro-Immune Connection Simplified
The neuro-immune connection describes the relationship between your nervous system—the command center of your body—and your immune system, your body’s defense force. These two systems continually communicate to respond to threats and maintain balance in your body.
When everything is in balance, this connection operates seamlessly. However, disruptions in this communication can contribute to chronic illnesses, highlighting the critical role this connection plays in our health.
The Impact of Stress on the Neuro-Immune Connection
Our modern lifestyle often exposes us to prolonged stress, impacting the neuro-immune connection. Chronic stress disrupts this delicate balance, potentially triggering or exacerbating chronic illnesses. Furthermore, if you’ve experienced childhood trauma or emotional neglect, your body may be ‘primed’ to be more susceptible to everyday stressors disrupting this balance. In my work, I’ve found that this is particularly true for people with freeze or appease stress responses.
Harnessing the Neuro-Immune Connection for Health
Fortunately, the neuro-immune connection is not immutable. Employing strategies such as somatic therapy, vagal toning, intuitive movement to music, Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), energy healing, mental practice exercises, and mindfulness-based practices can help positively influence this connection.
The Role of Holistic Care: Maggie’s Story
Maggie, a client of mine, came to me with several ongoing issues. She’d been struggling with worsening gastrointestinal problems and was now breaking out in hives all over her body. Despite various allergy tests and medication for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), her condition didn’t improve.
Following a move to a new city with her husband, her symptoms had significantly worsened. Suspecting mold, she had her new house tested, found several strains, and spent thousands on remediation. Despite all this, her health continued to decline.
Once we began working together, it became clear that Maggie was holding onto old trauma stories within her body. The added stress from the recent move was the tipping point—her neuroimmune system was on high alert.
Over the course of about six months, Maggie and I worked together twice a month, employing a combination of energy healing, somatic work, and trauma release. By the end of that time, her health had completely transformed. She no longer experienced rashes, and her digestion normalized. In her own words, “My digestion is better than I can ever remember, even when I was young!”
I hope this exploration of the neuro-immune connection emphasizes the importance of considering the body as a connected system, especially when dealing with chronic illnesses. For those navigating these conditions, understanding this connection and taking steps to balance both the underlying immune and nervous system is key.
If you’re interested in learning more about the neuro-immune connection or need help managing a chronic illness, reach out on social media or send me an email. I’m always here to support your journey towards dynamic, vibrant health.
by Megan Caper | chakras, energetic body, healing, health, wellness
According to ancient Indian spiritual traditions, chakras are energy centers within our bodies, each with unique functions and characteristics. Interestingly, these chakras correspond to major endocrine glands, which also have unique functions and characteristics that align almost perfectly with the functions of each chakra. Understanding these chakra-endocrine correlations can provide a holistic perspective on health, balancing both physical and energetic aspects. I work with this interplay of energetic and physical body parts all the time in the healing sessions I do with clients. This is one of the things I love about energy healing – the ability to address these body parts as either their energetic or physical form in whatever way is needed for healing in that moment.
1st Chakra – Root Chakra (Muladhara) & the Testes
The root chakra, located at the base of the spine, represents our foundation and feeling of groundedness. Physically, it aligns with the testes, the glands responsible for sexual function and reproduction. (Yes, also for people without testes – about 50% of the testosterone in people with ovaries is produced by vestigial testicular tissue.) Just as the root chakra relates to our sense of survival and belonging, these glands govern the fundamental aspect of life – reproduction and continuation of the species.
2nd Chakra – Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana) & the Ovaries
Situated below the navel, the sacral chakra governs our creative and sexual energies. Its alignment with the ovaries in women strengthens this connection, as ovaries regulate female reproductive functions and influence aspects of femininity and creativity – echoing the creative and generative functions of the sacral chakra.
3rd Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) & the Pancreas
The solar plexus chakra, located in the stomach area, is all about personal power, self-esteem, and our ability to channelize energy into action. It aligns with the pancreas, an endocrine gland crucial in converting food into fuel. The solar plexus chakra and pancreas both convert raw materials, whether food or personal will, into usable energy.
4th Chakra – Heart Chakra (Anahata) & the Thymus/Heart
The heart chakra, at the center of the chest, symbolizes love, compassion, and emotional balance. Physically, it corresponds with the thymus gland, vital for immune function, and the heart, our core life-sustaining organ. Just as the heart chakra harmonizes emotions and instills compassion, the thymus and heart work together to maintain physical vitality and balance.
5th Chakra – Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) & the Thyroid
The throat chakra stands for communication and expression. Its physical counterpart, the thyroid gland, influences growth, metabolism, and development. In essence, the thyroid regulates how our bodies express their physiological blueprints, reflecting the throat chakra’s focus on communication and authenticity.
6th Chakra – Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) & the Pituitary/Hypothalamus
The third eye chakra, located between the eyebrows, is the center of intuition and foresight. It corresponds to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands, the master regulators of the endocrine system. Just as the third eye chakra is considered the overseer of our spiritual system, the pituitary and hypothalamus guide our physiological functions, demonstrating a profound interplay between intuition and homeostasis.
7th Chakra – Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) & the Pineal Gland
The crown chakra, situated at the top of the head, represents spiritual connection and enlightenment. It aligns with the pineal gland, a tiny gland responsible for the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep patterns and seasonal functions. In many spiritual traditions, the pineal gland is considered the physical manifestation of the “third eye,” linking it directly to our spiritual awareness. Just like the crown chakra governs spiritual connection and universal consciousness, the pineal gland acts as our biological ‘third eye,’ regulating our internal rhythm and connecting us to natural cycles.
This synchronicity between the chakras and the endocrine system illustrates a profound connection between our physical and energetic selves. The chakras govern the flow of energy in our bodies, while the endocrine glands regulate the physiological functions that sustain us. Together, they create a beautiful synergy that echoes in every aspect of our existence – physical, emotional, and spiritual.
By understanding the correlations between our chakras and endocrine system, we gain a deeper appreciation for our body’s innate wisdom. Ultimately, the chakras and the endocrine system together form an intricate network that nourishes and sustains us, providing the foundation for a holistic approach to well-being.
