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The endocrine glands are the physical manifestations of the chakras; the hormones secreted by the glands serve to express the vrttis in the physical body. They are also a controlling factor of the emotions and overall psychology. For additional information see these notes.
The controlling point of the unit entity.
This is a small gland in the center of the brain. It looses
all nerve connections, except for a few to the eyes, shortly after
birth. It matures by age 5 and calcifies around puberty. However,
it is considered to be the body's clock, setting all the many
internal rhythms. It becomes active at night and peaks at midnight.
The one identified hypothalamus to control the
sahasrara chakra.
The "drinking" of this produces
anindyananda samadhi (a special type of nirvikalpa samadhi??)
and extreme intoxication and bliss. [AM]
The destruction of the pineal gland leads to the loss of body
hair and a tendency towards fatness. It also leads to a loss of
assertiveness of aggressiveness [due to lack of stimulation of the
adrenals?]. [AM]
The master controlling gland, which
harnesses all the lower glands. It secrets most of the hormones
that the brain uses to communicate with
the other endocrine glands in the body.
It produces various
hormones that serve to regulate the other endocrine glands.
It acts as a thermostat (in conjunction with the
hypothalamus) for the lower endocrine
glands by secreting hormones which stimulate them. It also maintains
balance, and expresses the mind's tendency towards the crude or
towards the subtle, by enhancing either the lower or upper
glands. The right and left lobes of this gland control the body/mind
functions and the higher mental/spiritual functions respectively.
A balanced development is considered spiritually advantageous. [Bp]
The general functions of the pituitary gland are controlled
by the hypothalamus, which may in turn
be influenced by the pineal gland. [Bp]
The thyroid has an antitoxin function [TC].
These glands (along with the pancreas, which produces insulin and
glucagon to control blood sugar) control the metabolism of food and air
to produce the bodies energy. [Bp]
Butterfly like gland in the throat. The proper balance of this
gland is important for the mind as well as the body. Over production
leads to scattered, unstable, thought, while under production yields
apathy and depression. [Bp]
The parathyroids are small peas behind each wingtip of the thyroid
and work with calcium and phosphate to maintain bone thickness and
strength. These glands affect ones sense of self-worth, and too
little secretion leads to the need to bolster one's ego. [Bp]
A major component of the immune system. The various T-cell
lymphocytes are matured here after being created in the bone
marrow. They then migrate to the outer lymph glands. Other
B-lymphocytes are possibly processed in the intestines and go
to the more central lymph glands. [Bp]
Most active in fetal development as it lays down the immune
system. After birth it supports the immune system but is not
necessary for physical survival. Protects against auto-immune
diseases by helping the immune cells to recognize the body's native
cells. This gland is the main definer of "self" on the biological
level. [Bp]
The adrenal glands are comprised of the adrenal medulla and
the adrenal cortex.
The stress hormones are secreted by the medulla. [Bp]
The adrenals control the water balance in the body, by regulating
salt take-up in the kidneys (aldosterone). They also produce sex hormones
(the androgens) and cortisol, which is involved in protein synthesis.
The adrenals (along with the ATCH stimulates the adrenal cortex to
produce various hormones and either the mineralocorticoids or
the glucocorticoids which lead to either the fight or flight
responses.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine are released by the adrenal
medulla in response to sympathetic
nervous system activation. These neurotransmitters mediate
the synapses of the sympathetic nerves.
These are the sexual glands, the testes in men and the ovaries
in women.
These complex biochemicals are produced by the various endocrine
glands, as well as the stomach, pancreas, kidneys, and duodenum, and
neurons of the brain and nervous systems.
On the cells of the body there are hundreds of receptor sites, which
each have a specific three dimensional shape that fits specific
hormones and neurotransmitters. These biochemicals are responsible
for running most of the body's functions,
for producing the emotions, and for
mediating thought and all other brain processes. [HB]
Antagonists are biomolecules that closely resemble the shape of
hormones and neurotransmitters, so that they can lock into the
relevant receptor sites, but do not have the capacity to activate
the sites in the way the hormones and neurotransmitters would. They
therefore block the processes that are mediated by the hormones and
neurotransmitters. [HB]
Among the neurotransmitters in the brain are opiates
(endorphins) which help to reduce pain and provide
pleasure. They have a structural similarity to the vegetable opiates,
opium, morphine, heroin etc., and are similarly addictive. It appears
that these serve the purpose of overriding the normal pain signals when
immediate external threats require physical action. In this case the
brain releases ATCH which is
the pituitary's messenger to activate the
adrenals. Along with the ATCH endorphins
are also released, reducing any existing pain signals, allowing the
person to focus on the immediate threat. Similarly endorphins are
released during labor, to help both the mother and the infant. A major
site for the production of endorphins lies in the brain stem. [HB]
The body's system for pain relief is complex, with several channels,
involving endorphins, as well as other neurotransmitters and substances.
It can be activated by stress, pain itself, stimulation of certain points
along the chi meridians, or by drugs.
It can also be triggered by placebo's which are believed to be morphine
or some other pain reducing drug. The placebo was effective when given
at the bedside, or at an (*consciously*) unknown time by someone in an
adjacent room, but not when given at an unknown time by a programmed
machine.[HB]
Anabolic hormones tend to build up the body and
may boost the immune system. They include estradiol, testosterone,
dehydroepiandrosterone, and growth hormone. [HB]
There are changes in the neurotransmitter levels in the brain
depending on what we eat. Different foods stimulate the release of
different chemicals (e.g. eggs produce acetylcholine; charbohydrates,
serotonin).
See also these articles notes.
Hormones and Neurotransmitters
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