-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
cancer
psychoneuroimmunology
psychospiritual approaches
definition
Psychoneuroimmunology and cancer correlations:
Neuroendocrine aspects of immune response and their implications for stress effects on tumor immunity: stress induced changes in the immune system are generally small and determine the course of disease chiefly by shifting the balance between toxic factors and defense mechanisms in disease processes. The immunologic system is likely regulated by the CNS via neuroendocrine mediation, with implications for the etiology and course of cancer. Stress appears to affect chiefly the efferent limbs of the immune system more than afferent; macrophage activities are probably the most important target. Experimental measurements must include levels of at least one hormone, and should cover as many hormonal systems as possible. (Locke, 1983, p. 100)
Under favorable psychological intervention and with the reduction of tension and anxiety, there is a decrease in catecholamines and corticosteroids, and activity of the NK cells can be increased. Whereas defense patterns, such as denial and emotional withdrawal, are correlated with increased corticosteroid levels and a decrease of NK activity. (Locke, 1986, p. 221)
The relationship between stress, the production of adrenal corticoid hormones, the suppression of the immune system and the progression of cancer suggests that methods of reducing stress and corticoid production could play an important role in cancer treatment. Individuals who employed the relaxation response reduced the amount of peripheral norepinephrine utilization, thereby minimizing the effects of stress and learning a way of exerting control over the illness. Findings indicate that hypnosis and imagery may result in an increase in immune function for certain individuals. (Locke, 1986, p. 215, 227)
L. Riley in "Psychoneuroendocrine Influences on Immunocompetence and Neoplasia", states that stress affects the antibody titer response and suppresses T-cell mediated cellular immune processes to cause adrenal hypertrophy and the slow involution of the thymus and subsequent suppression of interferon production. (Boyd, p. 165)
IgA levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with habitually suppressed anger. Expression of anger was not related to IgG, IgM, or IgG levels. (Locke, 1983, p. 146)
Subjects with high levels of Life Change Stress (LCS) who reported high levels of psychiatric symptoms had the lowest levels of natural killer cell activity (NKCA). Those with high levels of LCS who reported relatively few symptoms had the highest levels of NKCA. (Locke, 1983, p. 108)
Conceptualizing the immune system as a defense system produces an attitude that must ultimately be transcended in order for healing to occur. It is far more effective to take the attitude that we will maintain as high and exciting an energy field as possible, so that the immune system can take care of itself, per Jack Schwartz in "Healing, Love, and Empowerment". He further states that the job of the healer is to give people power to take charge of their own well-being, power which is often taken away for them by health care systems that tend to create dependence. By embracing clients with our own energy and enthusiasm, we help them get their own energy stimulated, so that impediments to the free flow of energy are dissolved in the revived surge of 'current'. Previously, we have overpowered people instead of empowering them. We must give away power and also educate clients on how to ignite their own energies and keep producing power for themselves. The healer is an educator in the original Latin sense of the word, to 'bring forth' knowledge, in this case, self-knowledge. The healer becomes a facilitator who shows people how to access their own inner wisdom and maintain certain states of energy so that transformation can take place. (Carlson, p. 19)
Cancer is a sign of unexpressed love, the symptom of misunderstood love. Cancer is love at the wrong level. If we are to understand cancer, it is particularly important for us to think in analogical terms. The symbol of true love is the heart. The heart is the only organ that cannot be attacked by cancer. (Dethlefsen, p. 241-250)
see:
attitudinal healing
bodymind psychobiology
cancer patients: personality characteristics
cancer treatment: immune enhancement
emotional tone scale
healing belief systems
healing power of meditation
healing power of humor
healing power of prayer
human energy fields
hypnotherapy: overview
meditation: forgiveness
nocebo effect
process paradigm
relaxation techniques
search for god
stress-hardy profile
the shadow and physical symptoms
theotherapy
treatment of chemotherapy side-effects
treatment of pain
ultradian rhythms
footnotes