Do Not Hold It In: Korean Medicine Solutions for Hwa-byung and the Surging Fire of the Taeyangin

The observations in Donguibogam align closely with modern clinical insights. The traditional saying that rising anger drives qi upward corresponds to what modern medicine identifies as the stress response. When anger or stress develops, the amygdala registers a threat and activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In turn, the adrenal glands release stress hormones such as cortisol, while the sympathetic nervous system ramps up, quickening the heart, elevating blood pressure, and tightening muscles as the body prepares for fight-or-flight. When this response persists over time, the body remains continuously strained, systemic inflammatory signals increase, and vasoconstriction can cause blood flow to shift unevenly among different organs. In addition, liver qi stagnation described in Donguibogam correlates with autonomic nervous system imbalance and shifts in neurotransmitter regulation. The liver supports detoxification along with stress hormone metabolism; ongoing strain increases the liver's workload, which can contribute to hypofunction. Suppressing anger also influences neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Serotonin helps stabilize mood, dopamine mediates reward processing, and norepinephrine regulates arousal and stress responses. Shifts in these pathways can lead to low mood, anxiety, and heightened impulsivity. This process also relates directly to reduced function in the frontal lobe, which governs emotional regulation. Furthermore, the description of internal heat matches the impact of chronic stress and inflammation, which elevate oxidative stress and disrupt gut health. The gut and brain interact through the gut-brain axis; when stress alters the gut microbiota, digestive function declines, which feeds back negatively into brain activity and emotional control. Physical complaints such as chest tightness or indigestion are therefore tied to concrete biochemical and physiological adjustments. In this view, hwa-byung represents a broad systemic imbalance involving the brain, nervous system, endocrine pathways, and digestive tract.