The concept in Donguibogam that the heart governs the mind and consciousness is very closely linked in modern medicine to the brain, particularly the cerebral cortex and limbic system. Chronic anxiety and worry are often diagnosed in modern medicine as generalized anxiety disorder, which is typically diagnosed when excessive and uncontrollable worry concerning multiple aspects of daily life persists for six months or more, rather than being confined to specific objects or situations. Incessant worry is accompanied by various physical symptoms such as headache, muscle tension, indigestion, insomnia, and fatigue.
From a neurological perspective, the amygdala of our brain acts as an alarm system that detects and responds to threats or fear. However, in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder, this amygdala becomes hyperactivated, tending to sound the alarm continuously even in situations that are not actually dangerous. Furthermore, imbalances appear in the functions of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational judgment and decision-making, and the hippocampus, which regulates emotion. This triggers a vicious cycle where stopping worry becomes difficult, and anxious memories are easily recalled and amplified.
Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in these brain activities; substances such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid are deeply involved in regulating anxiety. Patients with anxiety disorder often show imbalances in the serotonergic system or hypofunction of GABA. GABA acts to inhibit brain activity and calm excitation; when it is deficient or fails to work properly, the brain easily becomes overexcited, making one prone to feeling anxiety and restlessness.
Moreover, chronic anxiety continuously activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increasing the secretion of stress hormones such as cortisol. While these hormones initially help cope with stress, their excessive secretion over a prolonged period negatively impacts systemic health, leading to decreased immunity, chronic fatigue, sleep disorder, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Ultimately, the Donguibogam's explanation that an unsettled heart causes problems throughout the entire body can be interpreted from the neuroendocrinological perspective of modern medicine as systemic symptoms resulting from hyperactivation of the stress response system. The acupressure shared today can help regulate this hyperactivation of the nervous system, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, and relax both body and mind.
