Tex, what do you think of this?

mcnomore · Post by **mcnomore** » Fri May 09, 2014 11:37 am

An experiment that had young Dutch adults follow a strange regimen of cold exposure, meditation and varied breathing patterns suggests that putting the body under extra stress may cause the immune system to stand down, providing insight that could aid research into inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune conditions. The study puts into question long-held theories that the body's autonomic nervous system cannot be trained to override involuntary functions, including digestion, and that behavioral interventions do not influence the immune system. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (5/6)

Post by **tex** » Fri May 09, 2014 4:14 pm

That's the subject of this post, by Gabes, and I offered my thoughts there:

Reducing Inflammation

IMO, that's not going to be of value in treating IBDs, because IBDs (and other autoimmune issues) are the result of chronic stress, and the fight or flight response achieved by that experiment works by imposing a state of acute stress, in order to override virtually all autonomic functions. When in such a state (controlled by adrenaline) the heart rate goes up, BP and respiratory rate go up, and the digestive system is shut down (or at least digestion is attenuated) — which leads to diarrhea, sooner or later.

An adrenaline-driven environment is pretty much the last thing we want to see when we are trying to control a disease caused by chronic stress. We need less adrenaline, not more. IOW, that experiment is of academic interest, only. But that's just my strictly unprofessional opinion.

Tex

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:31 am

I have dysautomonia, autonomic system dysfunction, which for me means low BP and heart rate, so low adrenaline I guess. I don't know what that means for me when I do get stressed. Maybe I get an exaggerated fight or flight response? I can get instant D from acute stress.

mcnomore · Post by **mcnomore** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:47 am

I get almost instant D from something/s I smell. It occurs mainly in stores or sometimes in a doctor's office. Fortunately I have some warning signs and can get outside in time and in 5 minutes I am fine.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:55 am

Yup, I used to head straight to the restroom in department stores, home improvement stores, etc. Must be chemicals in the air.

mcnomore · Post by **mcnomore** » Tue May 13, 2014 11:19 am

Do you still have that problem? If not, how did you get over it? Good news tho if you are over it.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 13, 2014 11:24 am

It hasn't happened in a while, but my gut was good in the past few months. I've also been on prednisone the last year and a half, which probably helped supress these types of reactions.