Yoga. How to Stretch Your Mind.
Ever wonder how your brain changes while performing certain activities? This is an introduction to how yoga alters the Chemistry within Your Brain.
***This above article was a current topic for my General Chemistry I class. It touches in on the science, specifically the chemistry, of yoga and what is happening on a cellular, or chemical (hormonal), level within the body. Recently, science is starting to research the more natural, alternative, therapies, such as yoga, massage, acupuncture, etc..
These more holistic practices are gaining more awareness and insight; however, like anything else, the interest and funding for these studies has to be available. I think the importance of understanding practices, such as yoga, and their many benefits is thankfully on the rise.
I believe this will ultimately lead to more scientific based studies, hopefully leading to not only more ‘discoveries’ and better explanations thereof, but also the validity or ‘proof’ to their invaluable instrumental advantages that are prevalent throughout history.***
What this article explains, briefly, is how practicing yoga changes brain chemistry in the body, particularly relating to mood (stress, anxiety, happiness, etc.) by releasing a chemical naturally produced within our bodies called GABA(Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), which is imperative in “suppressing neural activity.” It is what “classical anti-anxiety medications” do — they “encourage the release of GABA in the central nervous system [CNS],” in order to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear. In other words, GABA helps you relax. You can think of it as the chemical inducer of the relaxation response verse the fight or flight response.
This is paramount in today’s world because we spend so much of our time in the ‘fight or flight’ (Autonomic Nervous System, ANS — voluntary, and resides under the Sympathetic Nervous System, SNS). However, we are truly meant to only ‘visit’ that state temporarily and when necessary (like being chased by a pack of wolves -which is also why it is coined the acute stress response).
We are meant to live in the state of ‘rest and digest.’ This is also under the ANS, but resides under the Parasympathetic Nervous System, PNS. In short, performing yoga is a Holistic way of bringing ourselves back into our Rest & Digest (PNS). Or, simply put, into the state of mind of peace and wellness rather than chronic stress… (Perhaps one of these days I can write more articles about A&P and dive in more deeply about the Nervous System and its many branches.)
I found this article not only interesting, but also imperative to individual health, which has a rippling affect into home and work life, which broadens even further and I truly believe has the potential to change the world.
According to google, the Chemical Formula for GABA is C₄H₉NO₂
Also, if you search Yoga and Chemistry on PubMed.org you will find studies about Yoga affecting the Chemistry of the body (particularly brain chemistry and therefore mental wellness)
Thank you again for your interest and I hope you found this information helpful and inspiring. As a yoga enthusiast and instructor, I implore you to practice safe yoga. Always start out at YOUR level and do not compare yourself to others. In time, I hope to start a YouTube Channel — so stay tuned for more :)
Your Idealistic HolisticNerd
Other interesting reads:
- https://www.chemistryislife.com/the-chemistry-of-yoga
- https://upliftconnect.com/the-science-behind-yoga/
- https://www.gaia.com/article/science-of-yoga
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/yoga/art-20044733 https://www.healthline.com/health/gamma-aminobutyric-acid
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