Phlegm-fluid in Donguibogam does not simply refer to physical waste like visible sputum. From the perspective of modern medicine, phlegm-fluid is closer to a concept comprehensively explaining fluid metabolism imbalance, a chronic inflammatory state, and the resulting nervous system and endocrine disruption in our bodies. This is especially true when considering its connection to sleep disorders.
The system in our body that regulates sleep is remarkably complex and sophisticated. Countless elements function organically together, such as the hormone melatonin that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA that calm the mind, and cortisol that controls the stress response. However, the accumulation of phlegm-fluid in the body is like a foreign substance getting caught in and obstructing this delicate system.
For example, a chronic inflammatory state activates the brain's hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increasing the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. High nighttime cortisol levels suppress melatonin secretion, making it difficult to fall asleep and interfering with deep sleep. The sticky, heavy sensation created by phlegm-fluid can be understood as microinflammation and the accumulation of metabolic waste throughout the body. These inflammatory substances cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), impairing brain function and disrupting neurotransmitter balance, which can also trigger anxiety and depressive feelings. Feeling chest tightness can likewise stem from an autonomic nervous system imbalance, specifically sympathetic hyperactivity and parasympathetic suppression.
Furthermore, phlegm-fluid is closely connected to the digestive system. An imbalance in the gut microbiota environment, such as leaky gut syndrome, can generate toxins and inflammatory substances that spread throughout the entire body, which in turn negatively impacts the brain that regulates sleep. The gut plays such a key role in serotonin production that it is often called the second brain; when gut health deteriorates, serotonin secretion decreases, which can lower sleep quality and cause mood disorders.
Excessive dreaming also appears when brain activity becomes overly activated or the REM sleep stage becomes unstable. Microinflammation in the brain or nervous system hyperexcitation caused by phlegm-fluid prevents the brain from resting sufficiently and keeps it constantly active throughout the night, which can become a cause of frequent vivid, distressing dreams that induce fatigue. Ultimately, Donguibogam's phlegm-fluid can be understood as a profound concept encompassing the diverse aspects of sleep disorders arising from the combined effects of what modern medicine calls chronic inflammation, gut-brain axis imbalance, autonomic nervous system imbalance, and hormonal imbalance.
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