Human beings are unique creatures that are distinguished by their minds and bodies. Our physical bodies allow us to interact with the world through movement, sensation, and biological processes, while our mind enables consciousness, emotions, thoughts, feelings, and moral reasoning. In fact, it is the human mind that truly distinguishes us from other creatures like animals. While many animals possess instincts, basic intelligence, and emotions, the human mind is capable of higher order thinking, reasoning, imagination, self-awareness, moral judgement, and the ability to reflect on one’s existence. The power of the human mind, when harmonized with the body, makes humans unique and enables them to reach their full potential. Likewise, when the human mind becomes incompatible with the body, the manifestation is visible in the form of different ailments or diseases.
All through the history of medicine, the mind and body were treated to be part of a single whole, and customized treatments were tailored keeping the requirements of both. However, a major shift in this approach emerged in the 17th century, when a philosopher, “Rene Descrates” presented a theory of Dualism suggesting that mind and body are two separate entities. This theory of Dualism had an enormous impact on Modern Medicine, and doctors began to focus more on the human body (organ ,tissues, diseases), leading to biomedical science. Mental and emotional aspects were often left to religion, philosophy, or later, psychiatry. Hospitals, medical schools, and research centers prioritized the body as a biological machine, while the mind was not part of mainstream medical treatment. This marked the origin of a significant flaw in medical treatment, the separation of the mind from the healing process of the body.
The human body has 86 billion neurons, most of which are located in the human brain. There are about 37 trillion cells in the human body. Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system, responsible for receiving sensory input, processing information, and sending signals to muscles and glands. There are nine major glands, depending on classification, and 50+ identified hormones in the human body. All human diseases are categorized into two categories, which include Infectious diseases and Inflammatory diseases. Infectious diseases are simply caused by infections caused by microorganisms like bacteria, virus or fungus. While the Inflammatory diseases are caused by an overactive or misdirected immune response, or malfunction of a gland, or an abnormal secretion of a hormone.
The root cause of a harmful chain reaction within the human body often begins with a negative thought, stemming from unresolved trauma, fear, anger, past abuse, envy, chronic worry, or the emotional distress of losing a loved one. These psychological stressors activate the body’s fight-or-flight response, triggering the release of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, from the adrenal glands. While this response is essential for short-term survival, prolonged elevation of cortisol can severely compromise the immune system, leading to detrimental effects in three key ways.
First, when immunity is suppressed, the body becomes more vulnerable to infectious diseases, as pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi thrive when immune defenses are weakened. Likewise, a suppressed or compromised immune system may fail to detect and destroy abnormal cells, allowing cancer to develop. Under normal circumstances, the immune system acts as the body’s surveillance system, identifying and eliminating hundreds of potentially cancerous cells daily. When this mechanism is impaired, the risk of cancer increases significantly.
Secondly, chronic stress can confuse and dysregulate the immune system, causing it to turn against the body’s own cells, a phenomenon known as autoimmunity. This self-destructive immune response manifests in various autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Type 1 Diabetes, Psoriasis (a chronic skin condition), Celiac Disease and Crohn’s Disease (inflammatory bowel disorders), Multiple Sclerosis (a neurological condition), Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, which severely affects and deforms the joints.
Thirdly, prolonged stress can cause the immune system to become hyperactive, leading to allergic responses or, in extreme cases, cytokine storms, a life-threatening inflammatory reaction seen notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, where excessive immune response caused severe lung inflammation and respiratory failure.
Moreover, chronic stress rooted in persistent negative thoughts can impair the function of the vagus nerve, which serves as a vital communication channel between the brain and vital organs, especially those of the digestive system. As a result, individuals under constant stress often experience gastritis, persistent hyperacidity, gastric ulcers, and chronic constipation.
Stress also disrupts hormonal balance, contributing to widespread inflammation throughout the body. Notably, stress suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain that regulates sleep. When melatonin production is impaired, sleep disturbances occur, which in turn fuel a range of chronic health conditions. Thus, unresolved stress not only affects the mind but deeply undermines physical health, reinforcing the mind-body connection in disease development.
In conclusion, the intricate connection between the human mind and body is undeniable, a harmony that, when disrupted by chronic stress and negative thought patterns, can trigger a flow of biological imbalances leading to both infectious and inflammatory diseases. While modern medicine has made remarkable advances in treating physical ailments, true healing and prevention require a return to the holistic view where the mind and body are seen as one. Lifestyle choices including a nutritious diet, regular physical activity, quality sleep, and emotional wellness play a decisive role in maintaining this balance. Equally vital is the conscious effort to manage stress and cleanse the mind of unresolved emotional burdens. Practices like meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), hypnotherapy, healing unresolved trauma and reprogramming subconscious thought patterns through Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques, and gratitude journaling etc, not only reduce stress but also recalibrate hormonal function, restore immune balance, and reactivate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Embracing this integrative approach is not just a preventive strategy, it is a powerful act of reclaiming control over one’s health, resilience, and well-being.
About the Writer
Aamir Shahzad, a seasoned development professional with 18 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, currently working as the Director Development at Friends Welfare Association (FWA) Pakistan. He writes extensively on diverse topics such as development issues, human psychology, socio-economic uplift, education, and contemporary and classic literature.
