Helping Find Inner Calm

Posted: November 2021
Author: Sharlene Bennett |  BHSc, AdvDip Nat, AdvDip Med Herb

 

Helping to find inner calm – amongst our new normal

More so than ever we are finding ourselves in the era of struggling mental health and its impacting on our everyday lives.  As we try to resume and move forward, we are experiencing a surge in anxiety related disorders and mood issues.

Feeling stressed and not coping alongside anxiety and tension are common challenges for many of us and more of what we are seeing within a clinic setting as a health practitioner. Also, our recent global situation brings a new level of uncertainty and change alongside intense worry for many individuals that are already finding daily life challenging.

The new age of anxiety

Another layer of stress, has been added to the existing modern-day pre-pandemic life, making it all feel easily overwhelming and intensifying everyday anxiety for those that are already afflicted with a heightened stress response. Our renowned reward neurotransmitter dopamine and the “make you happy” neurotransmitter serotonin, alongside the relaxing GABA neuronal pathway, all work together to help us feel relaxed, happy and contented. ^1,4

But at times, our neurotransmitters can also work against us in times of stress, influencing and responding to an over activated cortisol stress response or a tired and blunted cortisol response in the body.⁴ Also, our neuron responses or activation pathways alongside neuron receptor sites can be part of the bigger picture of neuro induced or associated mood dysfunction, contributing to issues, such as depression, anxiety and stress overload syndrome.^1,3,4

The science – why we can feel so overwhelmed

Studies show certain receptors in the serotonin system 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A may influence anxiety and pre disposition through gene mutation or under or over expression at receptor sites. Both types of receptors are involved in either inhibiting or stimulating serotonergic neuron responses for fear, anxiety and mood regulation alongside gene transcription and long term healthy neuronal function.^1,2 A low serotonergic neuronal activity also lends itself to the likelihood of the development of anxiety or mood disorders.¹

Recent studies have shown that our epigenetics, our environment, lifestyle and also our pre-determined genetic material can help wire us in a certain way, like a trigger point just waiting to go off under the right circumstances. In a study regarding PTSD sufferers from traumatic situations such as the civil war or other deeply traumatic events it was found that the children from those impacted women were found to be much more susceptible or likely to developing PTSD themselves as the stress hormones produced from pregnancy are believed to further impact on the developing cortisol response and produce that increased individual pre-disposition over time.^3,4

The long-standing elevation of glucocorticoids such as what is commonly seen in adrenal exhaustion or chronic stress also impacts on serotonin receptors, creating a further imbalance and intensifying the anxiety-stress response.^1,4 There is however, the likely potential for change and producing a different outcome too, and with additional supporting phytotherapy, dietary and lifestyle, a positive and possible beneficial outcome can be obtained.

Finding calm

Finding inner calm in the face of adversity is never easy. As we move forward into a new normal and discover what fits well for you, we can have the option to re-set for work life balance, or just our everyday, such as sleep/ wake cycle and our whole emotional and physical well-being.

Phytotherapy can help in achieving that healthy reset, from quietening the mind with Passionflower or Lemon balm to our top adaptogen Withania or mood boosting Rhodiola there are many ideal choices, depending on the individual and their need. One of the New Zealand natives Kawakawa, is believed to be an adaptogen alongside its powerful circulatory action. This may help support settling an over wired nervous system, and act as a restorative for healthy adrenal and stress response in the body. Digestion is often a key issue alongside anxiety as we know the gut-brain axis works as a vital two-way communication pathway via the vagus nerve for neurotransmitter release and production, affecting the complete cellular footprint of emotional and physical health.

The unique New Zealand native for well-being support

NZ Kawakawa has well-known properties for calming upset digestion and supports hepatic health, making it a top choice for anxiety support alongside other adaptogen powerhouses such as Withania, American Ginseng or Rhodiola for inner support either for everyday or those more challenging times in our new search for inner calm and well-being.  

References:

1. Albert, P. R., Vahid-Ansari, F., & Luckhart, C. (2014). Serotonin-prefrontal cortical circuitry in anxiety and depression phenotypes: pivotal role of pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptor expression. Frontiers in behavioural neuroscience, 8, 199. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00199
2. Baldwin D, Rudge S. The role of serotonin in depression and anxiety. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1995 Jan;9 Suppl 4:41-5. doi: 10.1097/00004850-199501004-00006. PMID: 7622823.
3.  Crum, K., et al. “Oxytocin, PTSD, and sexual abuse are associated with attention network intrinsic functional connectivity” Psychiatric Research Neuroimaging
4. Seo, D., Patrick, C. J., & Kennealy, P. J. (2008). Role of Serotonin and Dopamine System Interactions in the Neurobiology of Impulsive Aggression and its Comorbidity with other Clinical Disorders. Aggression and violent behavior, 13(5), 383–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2008.06.003