by Megan Caper | chakras, energetic body, Neurology
Last week, I delved into glial cells and the intuitive insights I’ve gleaned about their function—insights that go beyond current Western scientific understanding. This week, our focus shifts to another pivotal component of the brain: the pineal gland.
Located deep within the brain’s center and nestled between the two hemispheres, the pineal gland is a small, pinecone-shaped endocrine gland. It occupies a critical juncture, connecting all major brain regions. Present-day research suggests that the gland’s primary function is to produce melatonin, a hormone pivotal in regulating our sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms.
However, my insights reveal a more profound role.
The pineal gland serves as a bridge between our physical selves and the vast expanse of universal consciousness. Those moments of transcendent experiences or feelings of deep connection with the encompassing “all that is”—they stem from the pineal gland’s activities, which include the production of DMT. a.k.a “The God Molecule”.. I believe the pineal gland can relay information from the universal consciousness field to every cell in our body. The fluid surrounding the pineal gland can form intricate chiral microcrystalline structures capable of both interpreting and producing electromagnetic (EMF) fields. These crystals send signals to each cell in our body, with every cell equipped with receptors to catch these EMF messages. This intricate communication allows cells to receive information from the pineal gland, which has already tuned into the universal consciousness field. Moreover, these EMF signals are also sent to our energetic systems, such as chakras and wei chi fields, instigating rapid changes throughout our entire body and mind.
The information relay isn’t unidirectional. Messages directed at the pineal gland can then be broadcasted into the broader consciousness field. By channeling our desired reality into the pineal gland, we can influence our very existence. The pineal gland plays a pivotal role in what many term as “manifestation”.
Historically, the pineal gland’s unique properties positioned it at the core of numerous mystical and spiritual traditions. It aligns with the axis of the 3rd eye chakra, mediating between the realms of energy (consciousness) and matter (our tangible world).
Recently, I’ve tapped into this power during energy healing sessions, using the pineal gland’s microcrystals to introduce new realities to the body. This process demands we recognize that our thoughts and beliefs are mere perceptions of reality. We must understand that our tangible reality results from specific vibrational energy patterns, which can be altered. Once this truth is internalized—that we are tangible manifestations of vibrating energy—the potential of the pineal gland becomes transformative.
How has the pineal gland influenced your experiences? I’m eager to hear your stories. Drop a comment and share whether your encounters resonate with mine!
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 | health, Neurology, wellness
Your brain is like the maestro of an exquisite symphony that is your body, with the limbic system holding the baton. This key player, responsible for our emotions, motivations, and memories, plays a significant role in the harmony between your brain and immune system.
Welcome to the Limbic System: The Command Center of Emotions & More
The limbic system is made up of several brain structures, including the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cingulate cortex. Each member of the team plays its unique part:
- Amygdala: Meet the brain’s security guard. Its job is to protect you, keeping a keen eye out for danger and playing a big role in processing emotions, especially when fear is knocking at the door.
- Hippocampus: This one is your personal historian, responsible for creating new memories and linking emotions and senses to these memories. It helps you remember the good times (and the not-so-good times).
- Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus wears many hats – it keeps tabs on your hunger, sleep, body temperature, hormones, and also plays a part in emotions and memory. It’s your body’s personal assistant, always juggling multiple tasks.
- Cingulate Cortex: This cerebral team member helps in managing your emotions and pain. Consider it the sensible voice in the crowd.
The Neuro-Immune Connection: A Two-Way Street
The relationship between your brain and your immune system is indeed a complex one, and it’s more interactive than you might think. Think of it like a two-way street or an ongoing dialogue where one impacts the other and vice versa.
One fascinating aspect of this neuro-immune connection is how the immune system communicates with the brain, particularly when it’s activated. Let’s say, for instance, that you’re fighting off a particularly nasty cold. Your immune system goes into high gear, sending out an army of white blood cells to battle the invading germs.
As part of this immune response, your immune system releases cytokines. These tiny proteins act like messengers, sending out distress signals to your brain. This is your immune system’s way of saying, “Hey, we’re dealing with a situation down here. Can you help?”
Your brain, always willing to lend a hand, responds to these distress signals. It activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to the release of cortisol, our primary stress hormone. Cortisol, in turn, is meant to suppress the immune response and limit inflammation.
But here’s where things can get tricky. If your immune system is consistently activated—due to chronic stress, past trauma, poor sleep, unhealthy diet, or persistent infections, for example—then those distress signals to your brain become more like a constant alarm.
This can lead to a chronic state of inflammation in your body and result in a perpetuating feedback loop of stress and inflammation. Your brain, in an effort to manage the constant “distress calls,” can end up maintaining a heightened stress response. This persistent stress state can exacerbate the immune response further, leading to even more inflammation.
This is where the concept of limbic retraining comes in handy. By working to retrain your limbic system, you’re essentially trying to teach your brain to better regulate the stress response, helping to break the cycle of chronic inflammation.
So, it’s not merely a one-way conversation from the brain to the body or the body to the brain, but an intricate dialogue between the two. The key lies in ensuring that this dialogue remains balanced and that neither the brain nor the immune system is constantly shouting over the other.
by Megan Caper | healing, health, Neurology, physical, wellness
Western science is finally beginning to understand what holistic practitioners have been advocating about chronic illness for decades: the mind and body function as a single interconnected system, and a dysfunction in one can lead to a dysfunction in the other.
Contrary to what we learned in school, our brains are not simply the “controllers” of our bodies, with every bodily function resulting from a directive issued by the brain. Instead, recent findings suggest that the brain acts more like a relay station, receiving information from the body, interpreting and synthesizing it, and then sending it back to the body. This relationship between the brain and body is more of a cooperative partnership than a hierarchical model in which the body strictly follows the brain’s orders. (It’s worth noting that this misconception may have arisen from cognitive biases towards hierarchical models prevalent among the primarily white male researchers of the past century.)
When we experience physical or psychological stress, our bodies relay the message to our brains that something is amiss. In response, the brain activates “glial” cells, triggering an inflammatory immune response. This reaction sets off a cascade of changes, with the brain altering the quantity and type of hormones and neurotransmitters it produces. These alterations, in turn, instruct the body to heighten inflammation, immune sensitivity, and make changes in energy production and pain signaling.
The issue arises when this response becomes entrenched in the brain. If our systems do not receive the “all-clear” message once the stressor has passed, we may end up in a chronic state of brain inflammation and immune response. Over time, this can lead to symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, IBS, autoimmune diseases, chemical and sensory sensitivity, brain fog, and mood changes.
Fortunately, this condition is reversible. By applying neuroplasticity principles, we can help the brain exit its stressed and hypervigilant state. One study demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach, as 74% of chronic fatigue/ME patients experienced a reduction in core symptoms after receiving a drug that helped regulate neuroinflammation and immune cell function.
However, I believe that drugs are not the only solution. Instead, we can harness the brain’s innate ability to modify its functions in response to different inputs. By providing the brain with different information from the body, the cooperative partnership between the two can shift dramatically. As a result, many symptoms may dissipate on their own, and a new state of balance can become the new normal.
If you’re interested in learning more, I will be offering a course soon to explain the underlying science behind this phenomenon and teach techniques for utilizing principles of neuro-immune plasticity to reverse brain inflammation and restore your health. If you would like to join the waitlist and receive more information, please feel free to send me a note.
