Can You Change Your Biochemistry With Your Thoughts?
Your mind is a powerful tool
“We’ve discovered that the nervous system makes a pharmacy of chemicals right now that works better than any drug.”
I heard this statement on an episode of one of my favourite podcasts — Diary of a CEO. Steven Bartlett spoke with Dr. Joe Dispenza, an author and speaker specialising in personal development and self-help via the study of neuroscience. The episode title is, “Your Thoughts Are Making You Sick!” The theory is, if your thoughts can make you ill, they can also make you well. Is this true? Let’s find out.
To begin, I have a question for you, reader. If you could do something simple and free to help you live your best life, would you do it? The obvious answer is yes. Of course, everyone wants to thrive rather than just survive. What a silly question! But, although the methods I am about to address are simple and free, they require a little effort. Unfortunately, some people don’t want to put in any effort, no matter how small. In the modern age, everything is fast or instant. We can get most things we want or need at the push of a button. We can get relief from symptoms of illness with a pill. Let’s remind ourselves of the quote:
“We’ve discovered that the nervous system makes a pharmacy of chemicals right now that works better than any drug.”
The implication is that humans do not need medication. Pharmaceutical companies are often demonised because of the gargantuan financial profits they report from the sale of prescription drugs. The human body is extremely complex and clever in its functions. It produces chemicals including neurotransmitters, hormones, and other signal-carrying molecules that regulate bodily functions such as mood, appetite, and sleep cycles. These natural chemicals can be beneficial to a person’s health. What if you saw your brain as the pharmacy, and the work as the pill? The top benefit of this new medication would be zero unwanted side effects.
The work (as advocated by Dispenza) centres around the idea that our brains are malleable. We can grow new neural pathways in the brain (neuroplasticity) and therefore change our habits, behaviours, and ultimately our physical health by thinking positively, intentionally, and through regular meditation.
Can you change your biochemistry with your thoughts?
“If your thoughts and feelings can be influenced by someone else, they can be influenced by you.” — Joe Dispenza
Firstly, what is biochemistry? According to New Scientist, Biochemistry is the study of the chemicals that make up life and how they behave.
Full disclosure: Having just recently heard of Joe Dispenza, I haven’t had time to do anything other than add his books to my reading pile. However, I had heard of (and read) similar ideas from other writers and speakers over the years. The positive thinking movement is not new. From my research, I’ve found that some of the key themes Dispenza explores are:
Changing your thoughts can change your life: By changing our thought patterns from a place of doom and gloom, we can change the course of our lives and create a more positive outcome.
Neuroplasticity: As mentioned previously, Dispenza discusses the concept of neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to rewire and adapt based on our thoughts and experiences. He says we can rewire our brains for positive change through focused thinking and meditative practices.
Embrace the new and unknown: For those of us who continually seek self-improvement, this one will not come as a surprise. Dispenza encourages individuals to break out of their comfort zones and embrace the unknown. Growth cannot occur in a comfort zone. However, he believes that when we challenge ourselves and take risks, we can transform, blossom, prosper.
Gratitude: Many studies have been done into the effects of practicing gratitude. Dispenza suggests these emotions can shift our energy into a more positive place therefore attracting more good life experiences.
The mind-body connection has been the subject of many studies and continues to be an area of interest for neuroscientists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals. Thinking and feeling positive is hugely beneficial to both a person’s frame of mind and physiology. It can reduce stress in the body, lowering inflammation, increasing energy, improving sleep quality, and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Can meditation replace medication?
Meditation, in simple terms, is a mental practice that involves either focused breathing or focused attention on a mantra (a thought or a word) or object to achieve relaxation and mental clarity. People have been practicing meditation for thousands of years and while it is possibly considered to be synonymous with Buddhism, religious beliefs are not essential in order to meditate.
Dispenza’s meditation techniques involve focusing on an intention and practicing visualisation. He recommends 20–30 minutes a day. A quiet environment is optimal to allow full concentration on thoughts, emotions, and desires without distractions. Accompanying intentions with positive emotions allows individuals to create a shift in their energy and potentially manifest their desired outcomes. From a place of despair, everything is more difficult. Allowing yourself to think positively and to feel hope in your heart makes anything feel possible. The effectiveness of your meditation practice will depend on how committed you are and whether you believe in the process. You must back up your actions, words, and thoughts with positive emotions in order to reap the benefits. 20–30 minutes can seem like a long time if you are completely new to meditation. Starting with 5 minutes a day can be a great way to introduce meditation into your routine and assess how it impacts your overall well-being. If you find that you struggle to start alone, check out free trials of apps such as Headspace or Calm. There are also some great guided meditations on YouTube.
Returning to the question of whether meditation can replace medication, although it is understood and undisputed that the human body generates a range of chemicals for different functions, there is no real evidence to support eliminating pharmaceutical drugs. Discontinuing medication could pose a serious threat to individuals dealing with chronic illnesses. Is it worth risking premature death to forego medication in favour of meditation? I would think not. Pharmaceutical drugs serve specific purposes in alleviating medical conditions and diseases and these medications were developed after years of research and rigorous testing. Positive thinking and meditation, although worthwhile practices, do not have the robust scientific evidence behind them that prescription drugs do.
Can you change your biochemistry with your thoughts?
Yes, you can. But it doesn’t have to be at the exclusion of life-saving medication. To use a personal example, I once took Propanolol (a beta blocker) for Anxiety. Although it served a purpose initially, I no longer need it and can manage my symptoms naturally via running, writing, and meditation. However, I was not taking a medication that my life depended on. That’s an important distinction. There are huge benefits to being calm and focusing on breathing as it is one of our body’s essential natural functions. Just bear in mind, there is a reason for medical intervention. Sometimes medication is essential. It could be keeping you alive. Medication and meditation can exist in harmony.
For the month of September, I will be conducting an experiment. I will be meditating every morning, midday, and evening for 10 minutes at a time. I will report back.
Further reading on positive practices: