The following article begins a series examining the concept of addictions as a function of the biochemical processes of the human body. “Well, Duh,” you might say, “Of course addictions are a function of the biochemical processes of the body – we’re altering the body chemistry when we intrtoduce chemicals (alcohol or drugs) into the system. But the significance goes beyond the obvous stated here. Scientific Brain research has revealed that there is a natural bio-chemical sequence associated with what we experience as emotions, that can be duplicated artificially through introducing chemical subatances into the body, or creating situations and acting out behaviours which trigger the manufacturing of these biochemical sequences. This is not to minimize the emotional/psychological aspect of addictions, but rather to shed light on why, after clearing ourselves of our “drug of choice” we still find ourselves re-living situations that are “set-ups” for old behavior patterns.Dr. Candace Pert, PhD, as described on her website’s home page, www.candacepert.com,“has explained in popular lectures throughout the world how emotions exist both as energy and matter, in the vibrating recptors on every cell in the body. Her scientific work in the 1980’s while a Section Chief at the National Institutes of Health, led to her theory of how “bodymind” functions as a single psychosomatic network of information molecules which control our health and physiology.The Biochemicals of Emotions appears at www.debadler.com, Whole Health and Healing. It is reprinted here by permission of the author, Deborah Adler.Part 1Dr. Candace Pert, PhD, in her book Molecules of Emotions: Why You Feel the Way You Feel, advances the concept of the human organism as a communications network, with emotions functioning as the biochemical links between mind and body. In this process she redefines the nature of health and disease and empowers the individual with responsibility – which we know can be reduced to its roots of “respond” with the “ability” – to exert more control in their own lives.It is significant that in the seventeenth century philosopher Rene Descartes, considered to be the founding father of modern medicine, was forced into a deal with the Pope in order to obtain bodies for dissection. He had to agree to leave all matters of mind, soul and emotions to the exclusive authority of the Church, claiming only the physical realm as his territory, thus “dividing the human experience into two distinct and separate spheres that could never overlap.” This explains the heretofore irreconcilable chasm between physical and psychological, emotional and spiritual disciplines, when in fact, each is reliant upon the other if we are to treat the individual as an integrated whole.
The marvelous machine and vessel we know as “Human” is a bio-chemical eco-system. “The molecules of emotion run every system in our body….This communication system is in effect a demonstration of the bodymind’s intelligence, an intelligence wise enough to seek wellness, and one that can potentially keep us healthy and disease free without the modern high-tech medical intervention we now rely on.”
Dr. Pert defines emotions as “not only the familiar human experiences of anger, fear, and sadness, as well as joy, contentment, and courage, but also basic sensations such as pleasure and pain, as well as the ‘drive states’ studied by the experimental psychologist, such as hunger and thirst.” These are recognized as measurable and observable emotions and states. In addition, she also refers to a number of subjective experiences which are most likely unique to humans, including “spiritual inspiration, awe, bliss, and other states of consciousness.”
-Deborah Adler
To be continued….
©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.
