The instability of the kidney described in the Donguibogam is closely tied, from a modern medical perspective, to the body's primary stress response system. In particular, it connects deeply with the autonomic nervous system, which coordinates balance throughout the brain and body.
When we feel stress or anxiety, the brain's hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated, releasing stress hormones such as cortisol. Just as the Donguibogam states that the kidney oversees our fundamental life energy, modern medicine recognizes that the adrenal gland supports our survival by producing these stress hormones. However, prolonged exposure to chronic anxiety and fear overstimulates this HPA axis. As the adrenal gland grows depleted, it creates hormonal imbalance, ultimately leading to chronic fatigue, lethargy, and intensified anxiety. This state closely mirrors the depletion of kidney essence.
In addition, anxiety and fear excessively stimulate the sympathetic nerve. The heart races, breathing turns shallow, and muscles tighten, keeping the body in a constant state of threat readiness. Meanwhile, the parasympathetic nerve, which helps the body rest and recover, fails to function properly. The Donguibogam notes that the kidney governs water, which should remain calm and steady. When autonomic nervous system balance collapses and the sympathetic nerve becomes overactive, the body enters an unstable, chaotic state, much like water boiling over.
Imbalances in intracerebral neurotransmitters also play a key role. Anxiety disorder is closely linked to shortages or imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid. Chronic stress and anxiety weaken the body's ability to produce and regulate these chemicals, creating a cycle that further magnifies anxiety. Gut health is also deeply involved, as the digestive tract, often called the second brain, manufactures many neurotransmitters. When anxiety harms gut function, the gut-brain axis carries that stress back to the brain. In the end, unexplained anxiety is a clear sign that the body's deeper balance has been disrupted, and it requires whole-body recovery rather than being brushed aside as an issue of mindset alone.
