Endocrine System
The nervous system sends electrical messages to control and coordinate the body. The endocrine system has a similar job, but uses chemicals to “communicate”. These chemicals are known as hormones. A hormone is a specific messenger molecule synthesized and secreted by a group of specialized cells called an endocrine gland. These glands are ductless, which means that their secretions (hormones) are released directly into the bloodstream and travel to elsewhere in the body to target organs, upon which they act. Note that this is in contrast to our digestive glands, which have ducts for releasing the digestive enzymes.
Pheromones are also communication chemicals, but are used to send signals to other members of the same species. Queen bees, ants, and naked mole rats exert control of their respective colonies via pheromones. One common use for pheromones is as attractants in mating. Pheromones are widely studied in insects and are the basis for some kinds of Japanese beetle and gypsy moth traps. While pheromones have not been so widely studied in humans, some interesting studies have been done in recent years on pheromonal control of menstrual cycles in women. It has been found that pheromones in male sweat and/or sweat from another “dominant” female will both influence/regulate the cycles of women when smeared on their upper lip, just below the nose. Also, there is evidence that continued reception of a given man’s pheromone(s) by a woman in the weeks just after ovulation/fertilization can significantly increase the chances of successful implantation of the new baby in her uterus. Pheromones are also used for things like territorial markers (urine) and alarm signals.
Each hormone’s shape is specific and can be recognized by the corresponding target cells. The binding sites on the target cells are called hormone receptors. Many hormones come in antagonistic pairs that have opposite effects on the target organs. For example, insulin and glucagon have opposite effects on the liver’s control of blood sugar level. Insulin lowers the blood sugar level by instructing the liver to take glucose out of circulation and store it, while glucagon instructs the liver to release some of its stored supply to raise the blood sugar level. Much hormonal regulation depends on feedback loops to maintain balance and homeostasis.
There are three general classes (groups) of hormones. These are classified by chemical structure, not function.
steroid hormones including prostaglandins which function especially in a variety of female functions (aspirin inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins, some of which cause “cramps”) and the sex hormones all of which are lipids made from cholesterol,
amino acid derivatives (like epinephrine) which are derived from amino acids, especially tyrosine, and
peptide hormones (like insulin) which is the most numerous/diverse group of hormones.
The major human endocrine glands include:
the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is called the “master gland” but it is under the control of the hypothalamus. Together, they control many other endocrine functions. They secrete a number of hormones, especially several which are important to the female menstural cycle, pregnancy, birth, and lactation (milk production). These include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates development and maturation of a follicle in one of a woman’s ovaries, and leutinizing hormone (LH), which causes the bursting of that follicle (= ovulation) and the formation of a corpus luteum from the remains of the follicle.
There are a number of other hypothalamus and pituitary hormones which affect various target organs.
One non-sex hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary is antidiuretic hormone or ADH. This hormone helps prevent excess water excretion by the kidneys. Ethanol inhibits the release of ADH and can, thus, cause excessive water loss. That’s also part of the reason why a group of college students who go out for pizza and a pitcher of beer need to make frequent trips to the restrooms. Diuretics are chemicals which interfere with the production of or action of ADH so the kidneys secrete more water. Thus diuretics are often prescribed for people with high blood pressure, in an attempt to decrease blood volume.
Another group of non-sex hormones that many people have heard of is the endorphins, which belong to the category of chemicals known as opiates and serve to deaden our pain receptors. Endorphins, which are chemically related to morphine, are produced in response to pain. The natural response to rub an injured area, such as a pinched finger, helps to release endorphins in that area. People who exercise a lot and push their bodies “until it hurts” thereby stimulate the production of endorphins. It is thought that some people who constantly over-exercise and push themselves too much may actually be addicted to their own endorphins which that severe exercise regime releases.
the thyroid gland
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, therefore body temperature and weight. The thyroid hormones contain iodine, which the thyroid needs in order to manufacture these hormones. If a person lacks iodine in his/her diet, the thyroid cannot make the hormones, causing a deficiency. In response to the body’s feedback loops calling for more thyroid hormones, the thyroid gland then enlarges to attempt to compensate (The body’s plan here is if it’s bigger it can make more, but that doesn’t help if there isn’t enough iodine.). This disorder is called goiter. Dietary sources of iodine include any “ocean foods” because ocean-dwelling organisms tend to accumulate iodine from the seawater, and would include foods like ocean fish (tuna) and seaweeds like kelp. Because of this, people who live near the ocean do not have as much of a problem with goiter as people who live inland and don’t have access to these foods. To help alleviate this problem in our country, our government began a program encouraging salt refiners to add iodine to salt, and encouraging people to choose to consume this iodized salt.
the pancreas
This organ has two functions. It serves as a ducted gland, secreting digestive enzymes into the small intestine. The pancreas also serves as a ductless gland in that the islets of Langerhans secrete insulin and glucagon to regulate the blood sugar level. The -islet cells secrete glucagon, which tells the liver to take carbohydrate out of storage to raise a low blood sugar level. The -islet cells secrete insulin to tell the liver to take excess glucose out of circulation to lower a blood sugar level that’s too high. If a person’s body does not make enough insulin (and/or there is a reduced response of the target cells in the liver), the blood sugar rises, perhaps out of control, and we say that the person has diabetes mellitus.
the adrenal glands
These sit on top of the kidneys. They consist of two parts, the outer cortex and the inner medulla. The medulla secretes epinephrine (= adrenaline) and other similar hormones in response to stressors such as fright, anger, caffeine, or low blood sugar. The cortex secretes corticosteroids such as cortisone. Corticosteroids are well-known as being anti-inflammatory, thus are prescribed for a number of conditions. However, these are powerful regulators that should be used with caution. Medicinal doses are typically higher than what your body would produce naturally, thus the person’s normal feedback loops suppress natural secretion, and it is necessary to gradually taper off the dosage to trigger the adrenal glands to begin producing on their own again. Because the corticosteroids suppress the immune system, their use can lead to increased susceptibility to infections, yet physicians typically prescribe them for people whose immune systems are hard at work trying to fight off some pathogen. For example, back when I was in grad school, I was diagnosed with mono, and the campus doctor prescribed penicillin and cortisone. Since mono is a virus and penicillin only is effective against some bacteria, about all it did was kill off the friendly bacteria in my body, therefore causing me to develop a bad case of thrush. At the same time, the cortisone was supressing my immune system so my body could not as efficiently fight off the mono and the thrush. People with high blood pressure should be leery of taking prescription corticosteroids: they are known to raise blood pressure, thus can cause things like strokes. My mother-in-law had high blood pressure and was being treated with diuretics. Her physician also had her on large doses of cortisone for her arthritis. While he was on vacation, she started having significant back pain and was referred to an orthopedic surgeon. This man decided the back pain was just due to arthritis, and without carefully checking on what dosage she was already taking, prescribed more cortisone. Simultaneously, because of difficulty walking due to her arthritis, she decided to decrease the amount of diuretics she was taking so she didn’t have to make as many “long” trips to the other end of the house. The combination of lowered dose of diuretics and high dose of cortisone raised her blood pressure to the point where a blood vessel in her brain burst, causing a stroke. When the EMTs took her blood pressure, as I recall the systolic was way over 200 mm Hg.
the gonads or sex organs
In addition to producing gametes, the female ovaries and male testes (singular = testis) also secrete hormones. Therefore, these hormones are called sex hormones. The secretion of sex hormones by the gonads is controlled by pituitary gland hormones such as FSH and LH. While both sexes make some of each of the hormones, typically male testes secrete primarily androgens including testosterone. Female ovaries make estrogen and progesterone in varying amounts depending on where in her cycle a woman is. In a pregnant woman, the baby’s placenta also secretes hormones to maintain the pregnancy.
the pineal gland
This gland is located near the center of the brain in humans, and is stimulated by nerves from the eyes. In some other animals, the pineal gland is closer to the skin and directly stimulated by light (some lizards even have a third eye). The pineal gland secreted melatonin at night when it’s dark, thus secretes more in winter when the nights are longer. Melatonin promotes sleep (makes you feel sleepy). It also affects reproductive functions by depressing the activity of the gonads. Additionally, it affects thyroid and adrenal cortex functions. In some animals, melatonin affects skin pigmentation. Because melatonin production is affected by the amount of light to which a person is exposed, this is tied to circadian rhythm (having an activity cycle of about 24 hours), annual cycles, and biological clock functions. SAD or seasonal affective disorder (syndrome) is a disorder in which too much melatonin is produced, especially during the long nights of winter, causing profound depression, oversleeping, weight gain, tiredness, and sadness. Treatment consists of exposure to bright lights for several hours each day to inhibit melatonin production. It has also been found that melatonin levels drop 75% suddenly just before puberty, suggesting the involvement of melatonin in the regulation of the onset of puberty. Studies have been done on blind girls (with a form of blindness in which no impulses can travel down the optic nerve and reach the brain and pineal gland), which showed that these girls tended to have higher levels of melatonin for a longer time, resulting in a delay in the onset of puberty. While some older people, who don’t make very much melatonin, thus don’t sleep well, might benefit from a melatonin supplement, I’m skeptical of the recent melatonin craze in this country. When so many people apparently are suffering from SAD, I question the wisdom of purposly ingesting more melatonin, especially since the pineal gland is one of the least-studied, least-understood of the endocrine glands.
Local regulators are hormones with target cells nearby or adjacent to the endocrine gland in question. For example, neurotransmitters are secreted in the synapses of our nervous system and their target cells are in the same synapses.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM - YOGIC VIEW
First Chakra
The first chakra is located at the base of the spine, it is said that the Kundalini serpent (Shakti) lies coiled there waiting to be released and Merged with Shiva in the crown center. The color of this base energy center is red and its orientation is that of survival. It is the animal instinct which lies within all of us that urges us to survive.
People that do not have enough flow of energy through this chakra do not feel as though they are secure in the world, there daily life is a battle just to stay above water and they are typically on edge.
This center has to due with elimination, when energy flows freely through this center one is able to release, and let go, of that which could slow them down.
Benefits of a Balanced First Chakra
Sense of groundedness
Security
A stable base from which to move forward
The 1st chakra is ever so important because it allows us to feel connected to the earth. It is the first chakra that tells us to walk bare foot on the beach, it is the first charkra that tells us nature is a beautiful thing. And it is the 1st chakra that helps those more spiritually inclined to keep their feet on the ground as their head dances in the clouds
Second Chakra- Svadhisthana
The second chakra is located just above the base of the spine around ones sex organs. This energy center has to do with creativity, specifically around the creation of life. Orange is the color of the 2nd Chakra. There is a large imbalance in our society in the second center due to mass media glorifying sexuality, without the presence of love
When this chakra is blocked it manifests itself with a deep sense of insecurity with ones own sexuality. A person with an over active 2nd chakra will tend to focus on sex too much.
The second chakra builds upon the survival instincts of the 1st chakra, by Desire. The desire to pass along our genetic blue print and produce off spring.
Benefits of a Balanced 2nd Chakra
Proper flow of energy through reproductive organs
Healthy sex life
Ability to properly focus creative energy
Once one has properly balanced the sacral center they are able to transmute the creative energies of the second chakra into the higher centers and express the divine creativity from within.
Third Chakra- Manipura (Personal Power)
The 3rd Chakra is located in the belly. It is the seat of ones personal power. It directly affects ones ability to project their will into manifestation. This center is one that is constantly challenged in humanity . The majority of people are constantly having their power chakras challenged weather it be at work, in our relationships, or simply within ourselves. Power struggles are contsant in our daily grind. An under active third chakra can lead to a true feeling of powerlessness. An over active 3rd center can be just as detrimental as an under active one and may result in the over powering of others, typically for selfish desire.
The root of this problem stems from not transfering the energy of the 3rd center up through the heart center. The power that stems from the third chakra, balanced in love will lead humanity to a grand state of peace and well being.
The 3rd center is commonly associated with the “core” balancing activities that many aerobics focus on. The focus on this core, or power center, allows people to feel in control of their own destiny. As it is located in the belly it is also tied into the digestive system. When we are stressed we tend to get indigestion, which is merely a symptom of an unbalanced 3rd chakra.
This energy center is typically associated with the color Yellow, or Gold.
Benefits of a Balanced 3rd Chakra
Properly porportioned sense of self
Ability to influence/change ones surrounding environment
Strong digestive system
Core stability
As the power center this chakra helps to regulate the flow of energy to the other centers. By clearing this chakra of imbalances we can operate powerfully in our environment. This leads to an improved sense of self, and self esteem, which in turns increases our ability to help others.
Fourth Chakra- Anahata (Heart Center)
The 4th chakra lies between the shoulder blades slightly higher than the physical heart.
The focus of the heart center is non other than love and balance. It is from within the heart center that the Lord of Love shines forth in all of us. The heart center plays an important role in the balancing of the chakra system. In order to achieve a proper balance and flow of energy through the chakras, that energy must be integrated across the heart center. The blending of the higher and lower centers, (though each equally important) must be acheived across the heart center.
One means of achieving balance across the charka system is to take an inventory of what centers are out of balance. See to it that as you work on balancing each of those centers that you even out the balancing across the heart center. If weeek 1 you work on your 1st Chakra, and your 7th Chakra is out of balance as well, then try working on your 7th Chakra the next week. As you work with these energy centers you will find that the blockages move as your life moves. I speak only from my own personal experience in working with these centers over the past couple of years, (in this life time.)
When a person is blocked in the Heart Center it may manifest as a lack of abilty to give freely, or a lack of resources. The Heart Center tends to be an area that humanity requires the most healing in, who hasn’t been hurt by a loving relationship in the past. An ironic twist is that the Heart Center is also the primary center from which healing flows.
The color of the fourth chakra, is green. Green the color of abundance and good fortune. Pink is another potential color for this center, which represents a balancing of the White Light from above with the Red of the 1st Chakra.
Benefits of a Balanced Fourth Chakra
Love
Ability to give freely to others
Abundance
Healing for ones self and others
Integration of the higher and lower energy centers
Meditation from the Heart Center is an excellent means of polling our higher selves for what is right. If you hear your heart speak it to you then follow it. I have been working on allowing my heart to guide me for sometime, which is challenging considering my head likes to think it controls things The path may not be the one most easily taken, but listening to and operating from the heart center will help you to achieve your purpose.
The Heart Center represents Love. What a fantastic quailty to work on balancing
Thyroid Disease
It has come to my attention that a good number of individuals suffer from Thyroid Disease, of some sort or another, and it appears as though women are more likely to have difficulties than men. Weather it is an underactive thyroid, or an overactive thyroid the imbalance in the endocrine system is simply devistating to ones health. This ailment faces my mother and one of my co-workers as well, so it really hits home for me.
As I work through my studies of Kundalini Yoga I am researching the human endocrine system, and outlining some thoughts for chakra-neuroendocrinology, (a science that the yogis have understood for some time, but requires additional Western study.)
My study now takes me to the Thyroid. I seek to gain an understanding of its function and make the case for Kundalini Yoga as a Preventative Maintenance program to keep thyroid disease and disorders away. (Yoga is a maintenance program for the body, mental, emotional and spiritual, as well, but let’s stay focused on this aspect for the time.)
In my previous post on chakra-neuroendocrinology I referenced a resource book that is helping me understand the system. My high level overviews of the tyroid, based on the book, and other insights are as follows:
The thyroid is related to the 5th chakra, or center of communication located around the throat. It is good to keep in mind that the element associated with the 5th chakra is ether. Technically speaking all of our chakras are rooted on the subtle plane of the ethers and bridge the vital gap into physical manifestation. But the 5th chakra is of much interest to etheric relations. It makes one ponder upon the etheric implications of under active and over active 5th chakras.
The human thyroid is the gland that is very closely associated with metabolism. “A primary role of the thyroid is to increase energy expenditure and thermo-genesis.”
That being said the pituitary gland, (or Master Gland,) is responsible for stimulating the thyroid hormone secretion. An imbalance in the thyroid or pituitary gland can lead to challenges in the system.
Hypothyroidism- Underactive thyroid
This implies an individual has thyroid hormone levels that are too low for proper flow in the endocrine system. A common cause of this is the presence of antithyroid antibodies. A common symptom of this is sluggishness, (yoga helps make the body move.)
Hyperthyrodism- Overactive thyroid
This implies that an individual has thyroid levels that are higher than appropriate for the proper flow of energy. There are technically 2 types of this disorder, the type that is caused from within the body and the type that is caused from outside of the body. A common symptom of this is weight loss. This dis-ease can also lead to increased speed in mental processes, but with the propensity to create errors within the thinking. Again, one cause of this is a mis-aligned anti body within the system.
Preventative Thyroid Maintenance
It is my thinking that Yoga, (I am partial to Kundalini but all forms of Yoga are appropriate,) is the optimal means of preventing thyroid disease and disorders. It’s kind of like a car, one takes in their car on a regular basis so that maintenance work can be done. The result of this maintenance is a car that runs smoother, lasts longer and is less likely to die on you. The same is true of the human body and they thyroid.
Kundalini Yoga provides lovely specific means to maintain proper balance within the thyroid. The best way to cure thyroid disease is to never allow the root cause to develop in the first place, thus I stress maintenance.
Food that nurtures the Thyroid
Eating the right foods is also important for proper flow through the thyroid. Mark Hyman M.D. has noticed that thyroid disorders are on the rise, and he brings an interesting and valid perspective as to the cause. He focuses more on the environmental and dietary factors that enter into the thyroid system:
“For example, food allergies, like sensitivities to gluten and other foods, also negatively affect thyroid function-and are frequently undiagnosed. Likewise, deficiencies in nutrients important to good thyroid function-like selenium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids. and iodine and tyrosine-can trigger thyroid problems.”
Fight Thyroid Disease
Mark Hyman has very sound tips for fighting thyroid disease. I would suggest that we focus on preventing them in the first place.
But if you find yourself in a situation where you need to fight the dis-ease review his suggestions and might I suggest integrating a strong Kundalini Yoga practice into your life cycle.
I have another future proposed test for testing the validity of healing via chakra-neuroendocrinology. There are a couple tests that can be done to measure the levels of thyroid hormones in ones system. I propose a controlled test with 3 groups:
Group of people with over active thyroid (n=60)
Group of peoplw with under active thyroid (n=60)
Control group (n=60)
Measure the levels of thyroid hormone prior to testing. One half of each group will live out their lives normally, or under go the typical Western treatment. The second half will practice Kundalini Yoga on a Daily basis with a strong focus on 5th chakra exercizes and a little 6th chakra work here and ther. (We could add thyroid specific eating into the equation at a future date perhaps.)
I find it interesting that one of my first major energetic blockages in this life time, that I was consciously aware of, was in my throat center. (Sarah, thanks again for the release.)
The timing of this post is also rather interesting, as I am 18 days into a 40 Kundalini Yoga kriya that focuses on the 5th chakra.
Sixth Chakra- Ajna (
Center of Intution or Third Eye)
The ajna center is located directly in ones brow, between the eyebrows on the forehead. This center is commonly called the Third eye. As the third eye opens one is able to access their intuition at a much higher level.
The sixth chakra is also provides a channel for projection of energy, more specifically thought energy. As one starts actively working with the Third Eye sensations, or impressions, begin to register with the conscious mind right in the forehead. One may speak of it as reinforcing ones forehead
When there is not sufficient energy flowing into this center one will have challenges projecting their thoughts into the world of manifestation. They will also have difficulties with their sense of intuition.
People that have an overactive Third Eye may be too mental in nature. They can focus too much of their attention within their own mind and can come off as aloof.
The color of the 6th chakra is a blend of electric blue meets deep purple.
Benefits of a Balanced 6th Chakra
Improved intuition
Ability to swiftly transition into a meditative state
Psychic ability
Thought projection into manifestation
The sixth chakra has much potential to increase the quality of our lives when properly balanced. As humanity evolves the power of the sixth center will be with us. The ability to focus within the mind and bring down impressions from above is truly inspiring
Seventh Chakra- Sahasrara- Crown
The 7th chakra is our connection to the divine. It has been called the thousand petal lotus by many. The seventh center is located at the top of ones head, where the soft spot is located on a baby. It is from this center that we are connected to our souls, and all souls, through the rainbow bridge.
The color of the seventh chakra is light purple, or violet. It is also closely associated with white, or divine, light from above.
Yoga, is a study of Union. It can be said that Kundalini Yoga focuses on the union and balance of the 1st chakra flowing up through the etheric system and merging in the crown chakra.
When the seventh chakra is blocked it impeeds the flow of divine light to flow through our being. It becomes challenging for us to aknowledge the divine within all forms, (Sat Nam, Namaste.) Our relationship with G.O.D is not centered. For those of you who science of prime importance, Generating Energy, Organizing Energy and Destroying/Delivering Energy.
Those with an overactive crown chakra that is not balanced across the heart center may be prone to being not of the world from time to time. Flighty, or aloof come to mind. One that is properly centered is able to operate in the world, but not be of the world.
Benefits of a balanced 7th Chakra
Connection with ones soul
Ability to realize soul purpose
Meditative prowless
Aknowledgement of the divine within all form
Close relationship with G.O.D.
Knowing and walking ones path
The crown chakra represents a location of great spiritual potential. But this is not the only focus of Yoga. All things must come to balance. While participating on the earth school the energies of the 7th center and the connection with the soul must merge with the rest of our being. And from this union peace may be known
