Neuroplasticity, Chanting, and Mantras

Our bodies are incredibly complex.? I love learning how the various areas work and sharing what I learn with you.? My brain doesn’t always work the way I would like it to, (for that matter neither does the rest of my body) and I am always looking for ways to improve my mind and my overall health.? Neuroplasticity has captured my attention and I continue to seek out information.? There must be practical ways I can incorporate neuroplasticity into my life to make it a better life.? I’m curious whether some of the mantras I repeat thousands of times have any effect on my brain and/or on my health.?

I have been told, from a variety of sources, that our brains can be fooled.? Our brains believe whatever we tell them.? If I tell my brain repeatedly that I am a strong, healthy, energetic woman will that become true?? ?I don’t believe we can just say these things, or even pray for these things and have them just happen; we also need to act.? We need to do the work.? How much of that work involves what we tell ourselves and how we train our brain?? This is where I remind myself, everything and everyone is connected.

Gemma Perry is one researcher who has chosen to investigate if there is a scientific link between chanting and feeling better, i.e., helping relieve depression (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-21/chanting-practice-reduce-symptoms-stress-anxiety-depression/12046736).?

"Scientific studies have found that chanting can decrease stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as increase positive mood, feelings of relaxation and focused attention," Perry says.

According to the results of a?2016 study by Perry, Professor Bill Thompson and Dr Vince Polito, also from Macquarie University, chanting the universal mantra "Om" for 10 minutes improved attention, contributed towards a positive mood and increased feelings of social cohesion. (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-21/chanting-practice-reduce-symptoms-stress-anxiety-depression/12046736)

Though I have done extensive online searching for information, much of what I have found suggests we still have a lot to learn about chanting and using mantras to determine whether there are any lasting changes to the brain.? Keeping that in mind I maintain that if I feel better doing these things then it is worthwhile.? What are the potential negative effects?? The negative effects would be ignoring symptoms needing to be followed by a physician or other healthcare provider.? As a retired RN I respect and use Western medicine, but I also incorporate alternative health-related practices.? After all, why would we think one culture or society knows it all?? I need help from all possible resources to live the life I want.?

An article in Psychology Today tells us about some experiments done demonstrating inherent bias, check out the article at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-babble/201412/why-were-so-easily-fooled-and-why-it-matters.? And if you think you don’t have biases, I suggest you examine that more closely.? We all have biases, many of which are hidden.? We have been influenced by parents, teachers, peers, media, and everything else in our culture and society to the point we have beliefs that we don’t know where they come from, it is just what we have always known.? Where do your beliefs come from?? Can you believe that you can control your life and health?? My next question for you is “What would be the drawback of believing you are in control of your life and health?”? As mentioned previously, make sure that you aren’t ignoring something that requires medical attention, otherwise all seems ok to me.? Do no harm to you or to anyone or anything else.? Keep an open mind, but be curious and explore the many options available, be discerning.?

I am on a journey to well-being.? If you are seeking improved health and well-being, let’s chat – check out my website www.leadnurses.com

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