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, 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.
by Megan Caper | Happiness, health, Neurology
It’s a common belief that our brains are the sole creators of our thoughts, which we then become conscious of and act upon. However, recent research on neuroplasticity has revealed a far more fascinating reality – not only do our brains generate thoughts, but our thoughts also play a role in shaping our brains. The previously held notion that our brains were akin to computer hardware, and our thoughts to output, no longer holds true. The lines between them are much more blurred than we initially thought.
Indeed, our brains create thoughts that govern our body systems, but it doesn’t end there. The thoughts and emotions we consciously focus on can also alter the structure and function of our brains. This relationship is cyclical, not linear – more like an ongoing dialogue than a one-way street.
This discovery aligns with what we know about psychoneuroimmunology – the study of how our thoughts influence our body’s cellular functions. The old mechanical model of disease saw our bodies as machines, similar to cars, with diseases as the result of breakdowns. Now, we understand that our bodies are far more complex. In fact, how we utilize our bodies can impact their overall functioning. Imagine complimenting your car every morning and witnessing it perform better and suffer fewer breakdowns as a result!
So, how can you harness this knowledge to improve your health? There are two main strategies to consider:
- Monitor the thoughts and emotions you’re feeding your brain. Be mindful of the content you consume, from the media you watch to the people you interact with. Consistently exposing your brain to fear, anxiety, anger, or sadness may rewire it to be more prone to those feelings. As Louise Hay once replied when someone at one of her talks suggested killing two birds with one stone, “Why would I want to kill two birds? That sounds terrible!” Be conscious that the information, emotions, and thoughts in your environment can alter your brain, influencing the thoughts and emotions that emerge.
- Mess with your brain to alter the hardware in a positive way. Our brains struggle to distinguish between fantasy and reality. Research on mental practice has shown that when we vividly imagine scenarios, our brains process them as if they’re genuinely occurring. Why not use this to your advantage? Spend time each day visualizing situations that evoke happiness, laughter, connection, and gratitude. Committing to this practice for six to twelve months can reshape your brain, leading it to generate more positive thoughts and notice experiences that align with these emotions.
Now that you’re aware of the two-way street between your brain and thoughts, how will you choose to positively reshape your brain today? Embrace this newfound understanding, and embark on a journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling life, guided by the power of your thoughts.
