Learn How Thoughts & Emotions Can Impact Your Health March 29, 2024 Feeling anxious and defeated or hopeful and optimistic? Your body responds to these thoughts and emotions in physical ways you may not realize. The brain and body are connected through neural pathways comprised of neurotransmitters, hormones and chemicals. These pathways act as a messenger system controlling aspects of our everyday functions, from breathing to thinking and feeling. Research has shown that the neurotransmitters and hormones associated with emotion can cause physical effects. “A common example is a panic attack,” said Ryan Reeser, DO, of Samaritan Medical Group Family Medicine — Ninth Street. “During a panic attack, the person’s fear or heightened anxiety manifests in physical symptoms of increased heart rate, sweating and sometimes chest pain. When the fear or anxiety subsides, so do the symptoms.” Being stressed out regularly can also show up physically. When under duress, the body releases stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol which in the short term give us a quick energy boost to get through the situation. Research shows that when these hormones are running through our bodies too frequently it can start to cause physical issues, such as a weakened immune system or digestive issues. Our thoughts also matter. “How someone thinks about disease and symptoms can also impact whether they have physical symptoms and how severe they are,” said Dr. Reeser. The placebo effect is one example. This is when patients are given something they believe is a medication, but it actually has no medicinal properties, such as a sugar pill. Yet, they report beneficial results. Studies show that the mind can make us believe that a placebo is providing us therapeutic benefit. We can also feel the opposite, that the same placebo is making us sick. It is not fully understood how this happens, whether our expectations play a role or not, for example, but many experts believe that our thoughts and beliefs can influence physical health. Many Samaritan clinics have mental and behavioral health professionals working alongside clinical professionals to care for the whole patient — mind and body. Patients are encouraged to partner with their providers for an effective and attainable care plan.
