The perspective in Donguibogam that calls the heart the monarch organ and views it as governing the spirit offers remarkably deep insight, even from the viewpoint of modern medicine. Modern neurology reveals that the heart goes beyond simply pumping blood, constantly interacting with the brain and being deeply involved in emotion, cognitive function, and stress response.
Palpitations and anxiety symptoms generally appear when our body's autonomic nervous system becomes unbalanced. The autonomic nervous system regulates vital activities such as heartbeat, breathing, and digestion regardless of our conscious will. Within it, the sympathetic nerve creates tension, triggers the fight-or-flight response, and elevates heart rate. Conversely, the parasympathetic nerve acts to relax and stabilize the body.
Shenmen (HT7) is an acupoint located on the inner wrist along the line of the little finger, and stimulating this point is known to activate the vagus nerve, one of the main nerves of the parasympathetic nerve. The vagus nerve connects the brain with various organs such as the heart, lungs, and digestive system, playing an essential role in bodily relaxation and stress reduction. When the vagus nerve is stimulated through Shenmen (HT7) acupressure, the action of an overactivated sympathetic nerve is suppressed and the activity of the parasympathetic nerve increases, allowing one to expect the effects of a stabilized heart rate and lowered blood pressure. This is akin to stepping on the brakes of an engine overheated by anxiety.
Furthermore, stimulating Shenmen (HT7) can influence the secretion of neurotransmitters that regulate the stress response within the brain. For instance, studies report that it may help increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter involved in relieving anxiety, or help regulate the secretion of cortisol, a stress hormone. Such changes can contribute to bringing emotional stability by calming the hyperactivity of the amygdala, which plays an important role in emotional regulation within the brain's limbic system. In other words, beyond simply stimulating a point on the wrist, Shenmen (HT7) possesses scientific grounds for inducing systemic relaxation and psychological peace through the brain-heart axis. On difficult and anxious days, Shenmen (HT7) can be a dependable helper in restoring peace to your body and mind.
