February is heart month
PERHAPS THERE IS MUCH MORE TO THE HEART than we realize, more than a muscle that mechanically pumps blood to circulate oxygen throughout the body.
That is the essential workings of the heart, except science has discovered more than that.
Science has found that the heart possesses its own unique “mind” and nervous system, which constantly readjusts its behavior in response to external stimuli of the body, affecting our internal state. We often feel this connection when we listen to our favorite song, or become fearful, anxious, or excited, which causes our heart rate to ramp up or change unexpectedly.
The ongoing research of this body connection is referred to as neurocardiology. Researchers recognize the heart has its own kind of “mind.” Neurocardiology explores specific functions of the heart that enable it to make decisions throughout the body based on communication received and to communicate those decisions through the nervous system. As the research evolved, it became clear that the reason the heart can react is that the heart behaves with a logic that diverges from the direction of the autonomic nervous system. Renowned cardiologist and Food Revolution Network’s (FRN) Healthy Heart Course partner, Dr. Mimi Guarneri, said, “The heart is a mental, emotional, and spiritual organ with many complex connections that go well beyond pumping blood.” This discovery has shown that the heart is like the lifeline of the body; it can produce love and connection, not just physically but also mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.
While the heart accomplishes its main function, which is necessary to provide oxygen throughout the body, it also plays a crucial role in regulating our emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. The heart plays a role in this by manufacturing hormones, such as oxytocin, which is referred to as the “cuddle” or “love” hormone, and the hormone activates when we feel close to another person, companion animal, or something greater than ourselves,” said Ocean Robbins, FRN co-founder and CEO. This hormone is essential for bonding and feeling love. A lack of oxytocin can impact those with coronary heart disease.
The Framingham Study initiated by the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) in 1948 showed that patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) who were unmarried and lacked a confidant had a significantly higher five-year mortality rate at 50 percent compared to those with a spouse or partner at 18 percent. The study highlights the impact of social isolation and the human need to maintain healthy relationships, companionship, emotional support, and care to heal our hearts and to sustain overall well-being.
Research conducted over 20 years, by psychophysiologists John and Beatrice Lacey, first examined the interaction between the heart and the brain. They made observations that indicated that the heart communicates with the brain in significant ways, affecting our perceptions and reactions to the external world. In 1977, Dr. Francis Waldropin, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, said, 'Their intricate and careful procedures, combined with their daring theories, have produced work that has stirred controversy as well as promise. In the long run, their research may tell us much about what makes each of us a whole person and may suggest techniques that can restore a distressed person to health.'
The heart-brain, is commonly referred to as the “intrinsic cardiac nervous system,” which comprises of an intrinsic network, similar to that of the brain. The heart-brain’s mind circuitry enables it to, “act independently of the cranial brain to learn, remember, make decisions, and even feel and sense,” said researchers of the nonprofit organization heartmath.
This research highlights the complexity of the connection between the autonomic nervous system and the heart-brain communication, revealing that the heart possesses its own logic and often acts independently of the signals sent from the brain.
So, when your heart rate rises in response to an emotional trigger or when you’re with others, remember to be mindful that your heart is sensing the external environment.
In effect, it is communicating to respond to external stimuli, and it can impact the health of your heart. How amazing is that?
•Neurological communication
•Biochemical communication (hormones)
•Biophysical communication (pulse wave)
•Energetic communication (electromagnetic fields) Here are different ways to induce oxytocin to connect with others and be mindful of ways that can address negative emotions.
Touch– Loving touch, including hugs, high-fives, or fist-bumps, and messages, can lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Laugh– It makes your heart happy and shows it on your face, while at the same time releasing feel-good endorphins.
Practice gratitude and other mindfulness expressions– Research has shown the positive outcomes of gratitude and mindfulness practices can lower blood pressure, increase immune function, and help you feel grounded, cope with stress, and have lasting effects on your overall health.
Experience love– To connect with others is a powerful antidote to loneliness, even a phone call, having coffee with a friend, or a video call can stimulate the production of oxytocin that helps regulate the heart and the brain.
Balance– Something society doesn’t encourage much is to find balance between negative and positive emotions. Grief, stress, anger and loneliness are not bad; there is a purpose for our negative emotions.
The major impact is remaining stuck in a negative emotion and not finding the purpose to process through it. ✲
