Although conventional medicine often views our mental and physical health as two separate components of wellbeing, they are inextricably linked as they can significantly influence each other.

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Eastern and integrative medicine has recognized this connection for hundreds of years, and enshrined it as fundamental principles in practices such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture. Chinese medicine, which has been used to treat illnesses for over 2,000 years, is based on the belief that optimal health is determined by the balance of a person's qi (life force) with the complementary powers of yin (passive) and yang (active) in relation to their environment.

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As Chinese medicine is becoming increasingly popular in Western culture and takes a holistic view of patients' wellbeing, we have begun to understand how the systems and organs in the body influence our mental health:

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The Intestine

The gut, particularly the gut microbiome, has a significant impact on virtually every system in the body, including the brain and hormone balance. There are up to 1,000 types of bacteria in the human gut microbiome, all of which play a different role in the body. Certain types of these bacteria help produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin (the “feel-good hormone”). In fact, 95% of serotonin is produced in the intestine. The intestinal microbiome therefore not only helps to produce necessary chemicals in the brain, but also contributes to improving mood and mental well-being. In addition, the intestine is physically connected to the brain via millions of nerves. This means that the gut microbiome has the ability to influence the brain by helping to control the messages that are sent to the brain via these nerves. Studies have even shown that people with various mental disorders have different types of bacteria in their intestines than the control group.

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The Thyroid

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in all organs of the body, including the brain. Thyroid hormones are important for brain growth and tissue maintenance. A lack of thyroid hormones can impair memory and the ability to concentrate. One of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is so-called brain fog (brain fog or fog in the brain) or the impairment of clear thinking. Inflammation and a weakening of the blood-brain barrier due to limited availability of thyroid hormones are usually the cause. Experts believe that for many depressed people, an undiagnosed thyroid malfunction is the actual cause or main reason for their depression, which is not detected by standard thyroid tests.

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The Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are known to be linked to a specific aspect of mental health: the stress response. The health of the adrenal glands often affects our psychological well-being.

Our adrenal glands produce hormones that balance blood sugar levels, control our energy levels, and help us manage stress. When a person is under constant physical or emotional stress, the adrenal glands may weaken and be unable to produce adequate amounts of important hormones, particularly the hormone cortisol. This results in a disease commonly referred to as adrenal fatigue. Cortisol levels rise in the morning to wake us up and then drop gradually over the course of the day, leaving us tired when it's time to sleep. When we're stressed, our adrenal glands produce extra cortisol, which triggers the body's stress responses. When stress, which can be physical, mental, or emotional, persists over a long period of time, the adrenal glands are no longer able to keep up with increased demands and cortisol levels may fall. Low levels of cortisol can cause symptoms such as severe tiredness, low mood, reduced ability to cope with stress, brain fog, difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, anxiety, and depression.

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The Immune System

The connection between immune system health and mental health isn't often discussed but is incredibly important when it comes to our overall wellbeing. When the immune system is chronically stressed, as is the case with autoimmune diseases, Lyme disease or chronic infections, the body is constantly preoccupied with systematic inflammation. This immune reaction also takes place in the brain, which damages nerve cells and disrupts the balance of chemical substances in the brain. In addition, studies show that inflammation of the hippocampus (which is crucial for learning and memory) caused by infection or chronic stress can have negative effects on brain systems associated with motivation and mental mobility.

Other symptoms of brain inflammation include: headaches, migraines, memory loss, brain fog, nausea, mood swings, and more.