SOCIAL DETERMINANTS AND BIOLOGYHow determinants get Under the Skin (and into the brain)

Colbran Marjerrison

HOW DOES IT GET UNDER THE SKIN? How environmental/external influences

translate into changes in a person's nervous system and ultimately their biology

Immediate reactions to environment This presentation will touch on

endocrine, limbic systems and spirituality

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Peripheral Nervous System

Somatic

Autonomic

Sensory

1. Vision2. Hearing3. Touch4. Taste5. Smell

1. Spinal Nerves

2. Cranial Nerves

3. Association Nerves

Enteric

Sympathetic

Parasympathetic

Central Nervous System

Brain Spinal Chord

SOMATIC/SENSORY N.S. & THE REFLEX ARC

HOW DO THE NERVES WORK?THE ACTION POTENTIAL

HOW DO THE NERVES WORK? SYNAPSES

SNS:Fight or Flight

PNS :Rest and Digest, or Feed and Breed

AUTONOMICNERVOUSSYSTEM

ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Has some innervation from the ANS but also functions independently

Embedded in the lining of the GI tract Responsible for peristalsis Can send and respond to signals and record

experiences

NEUROTRANSMITTERS Dopamine

Natural Amphetamine Motor coordination, cognition, mood, attention and

learning, metabolism (BP, MR, digestion) – positive reinforcement

Serotonin (PNS and CNS) Provides a healing, nourishing, satisfied feeling in the

body – allows you to sleep naturally, enjoy time and think rationally

GABA Chief inhibitory neurotransmitter Relaxation, anti-anxiety, involved in endorphin production

Acetylcholine Cognition, memory, arousal Deficiency = lower creativity, learning

COCAINE USE

EXTERNAL STIMULATIONOPIOID SYSTEM

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMTHE BRAIN

Control Centre 3 parts:

Forebrain: receiving and processing sensory information, thinking, perceiving, producing and understanding language, and controlling motor function

Conscious perception Cerebrum, cerebral cortex Limbic system (hypothalamus)

Midbrain: auditory/visual function and motor systems,

Hindbrain: Maintaining balance and equilibrium, movement coordination, and the conduction of sensory information.

Pons, cerebellum, medulla oblongata (ANS)

RELATED TO SOCIAL HEALTH

People who share common environments, social groups are also likely to share perspectives.

People who suppress similar emotions have exhibited similar manifestations of disease

Connectedness between individuals Compassion effect

NERVOUS SYSTEM, ENDOCRINE SYSTEM, ENERGY

The Crown Chakra (7th)Associated with the pineal gland and wake/sleep or seasonal patterns. (Serotonin and Dopamine)

The Third Eye Chakra (6th)Associated with the limbic system, memories, emotional life and behaviour

THE DEEP MIND

The sub-conscious, habits, reactions, perceptions

What is its role in general? To what extent does it play a role in our

health? Contribute to healing? Something that we can “tap in to”?

NEUROLOGY/ENDOCRINOLOGY

Neuronal network Brain, spine, body

Endocrine system How body response to environmental signals

Self conscious/Sub conscious mind Advanced practitioners are able to control

“involuntary” activity Perspiration

The God Spot

IMMUNOLOGY

Immune System Interesting to consider from perspective of

promoting health, and not preventing disease Responds directly and/or immediately to

environmental signals Involved in differentiation of self from non-self,

regulation of somatic systems (reproductive function, digestion, filtering) injury/healing

Inflammatory response is hand in hand with stress

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

“ They [science and spirituality] are complementary views on reality each exploring a different realm. Only when we mistakenly assume them to be referring to the same realm does conflict arise”

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED

Deep mind : biological or spiritual? What fuels the machine of the body? What defines who you are? How are some people more connected

to the divine than others? Practice, choice? …. Biology?

Role in health, healing, medicine?