Page 381 - Total War on PTSD

blood vessels, airways, lungs, esophagus, stomach and intestines. It controls the parasympathetic part of the nervous system that regulates among other things our ability to “rest and digest” as opposed to the sympathetic which drives the “fight-or-flight” response (Bergland, 2016).
So you can see how this intertwined system cannot be separated into fragments. An overly aroused system of fight-flight responses and accompanying neurotransmitter activity is now seen as stimulating systemic inflammatory responses that are indicated in chronic pain responses (Bergland, 2016). OK, you get the picture of these profound connections: the revolving door of “mental states” becoming “physical states," and back around, while deeply embedded in our nervous system, influencing our neurotransmitters, hormones, pain responses, etc., all resulting in who we are, how we feel and how we live.
Inflammation is another probable connection that can impact the brain as immune stimulating molecules potentially cross the barrier effecting neural functioning. The microorganisms in our gut affect our immune system functioning, defend against infection, and create neurochemicals that impact the brain.
More research is needed on these various mechanisms and how they affect our mental/ physical health. We do know these interactions directly affect our autonomic nervous system: the sympathetic and parasympathetic (Weir, 2018).
For many decades research has confirmed the existence of a “second brain” in our gut, as it houses a multitude of neurons and neurotransmitters (the enteric nervous system). Receptors in the enteric system are sensitive and set off hormonal changes throughout the body. We experience our emotions and our subliminal fears in automatic, habitual responses in our gut. When we are anxious or tense, our bellies clench and we experience roiling sensations and anxious feelings in our tummies.
This latest research is finding deeper connections between the quality of the microbiome and mental health disorders. As Orgonomists we make these connections as they are apparent in the way individuals feel, the way their breath flows into all regions of their body, the complaints of gastrointestinal pain, constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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