A chemical imbalance in the brain is said to occur when the brain has either excessive or insufficient chemicals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals that help ease the communication between your nerve cells. Examples include norepinephrine and serotonin. It’s often said that mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The question one may ask in order to avoid oversimplification of a complex issue, is that, what causes chemical imbalance in a patient? An important angle in these discussions is the implications of chemical imbalance in the brain, temporary fixes of emotional distress and the therapeutic effects of certain body routines.

The origins of stretch exercises listed here do not belong to any particular genre or religion and this write up does not advocate or endorse any practice of religion related to these exercises. These activities are basically a person relieving bodily stresses by stretching.

The information provided in this series ‘Your Guide to Health’ are based on the book “Your Guide to Health” written by Dr. Clifford Russell Anderson and other references. The following is meant as public enlightenment rather than as an alternative to engaging the services of a qualified medical professional. ‘Your Guide To Health’ is available on Amazon.

Results of Chemical Imbalance in the Brain

Scientists in the late 1950s proposed the idea that mental health conditions are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Research at the time focused on the role that chemicals in the brain play in depression and anxiety. These researchers hypothesized that insufficient levels of neurotransmitters can lead to symptoms such as:

• feelings of sadness, helplessness, worthlessness, or emptiness
• overeating or a loss of appetite
• insomnia or sleeping too much
• restlessness
• irritability
• a feeling of impending doom or danger
• a lack of energy
• distancing yourself from others
• a feeling of numbness or a lack of empathy
• extreme changes in mood
• thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• difficulty carrying out day-to-day activities
• a feeling of hearing voices in your head
• alcohol or drug misuse
• difficulty concentrating

A method of relieving bodily stress

The concept of chemical imbalance alone being the cause of emotional ailments has been disproved; however, balancing of the chemicals in the system of an individual can serve as a temporary fix. There are several medications available that are thought to work by changing the levels of brain chemicals through blocking reabsorption.

Blocking reabsorption increases the level of neurotransmitters that are available for your nerves to use. This will activate your nerve receptors for a longer time. These medications alter neurotransmitter levels of either:

• dopamine
• serotonin
• norepinephrine, also called noradrenaline

Some medications work on a combination of two more of the chemicals above.

The cycle of healthy eating habits – rest – exercise – right thinking pattern are ways to, at least, not aggravate chemical reactions in the body. A person in a heightened state of stress can seem to have less adrenaline (chemical hormone) response due to overuse.

Benefits of Forward-Seated-Bend

Some people will recall from childhood while taking part in sports that a set of routine stretches kick started each day. Typically, prior to taking part in any sport, 3 – 10 minutes stretches were necessary to get the body heated up and the heart pumping. These stretches may seem like basic and of little therapeutic value. For gymnasts, martial artists and those in athletics, the ‘forward-seated-bend’ pose is of major importance in improving flexibility.

Asides the improvement of a person’s flexibility, forward-seated-bend has accompanying therapeutic effects.

Health benefits of Forward-Seated-Bend

Some of the health benefits of Forward-Seated-Bend are:

• It helps calm the brain, thereby providing relief from stress and mild depression
• It can help reduce anxiety and fatigue
• It massages and tones the abdominal and pelvic organs, making it a simple yet effective yoga asana for burning unwanted fat and aiding weight loss
• It can help improve digestion if practiced regularly
• It tones the shoulders and stretches the lower back, hamstrings, and hips
• It can help stimulate the liver, kidneys, ovaries, and uterus
• It helps with symptoms of insomnia and promotes good sleep

REFERENCES:

1. Chemical Imbalance in the Brain: What You Should Know – https://www.healthline.com/health/chemical-imbalance-in-the-brain
2. Everything you need to know about chemical imbalances in the brain – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326475
3. Health benefits of Paschimottanasana: How to do the Seated Forward Bend yoga pose – https://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/do-paschimottanasana-seated-forward-bend-yoga-asana-to-beat-stress-boost-mental-health-steps-benefits/501941
4. Shock – https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/shock
5. Beginners Yoga: How to do Seated Forward Bend – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1wigQSrmI
6. Charming girls stretching in bedroom – https://www.pexels.com/photo/charming-girls-stretching-in-bedroom-5063282/