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MOLECULES OF EMOTION limbic system, it is generally considered that its main parts are Dr Pert has called the neuropeptides and their receptors paired structures located medially in the forebrain. It encircles the "molecules of emotion". The information-carrying peptide upper part of the brain stem, and lies strategically between the molecules circulate freely about the body in the cerebrospinal lower (brain stem) and the higher (cognitive) regions of the brain. fluid, blood and other extracellular fluids, and their action at It is the area through which all sensory information coming up specific receptor sites on cells connects not only various organs through the spinal cord enters the brain, and through which all and biological processes but also mental and physical states. motor commands flow back downward. It is also the centre When our emotions cause us to go red in the face or to sweat, through which information from all the special sense organs of the these effects are not responses to messages from the brain. cranium enters the brain. The more important clusters of neurons Rather, they are produced directly at the cellular level when (called nuclei) generally considered to be part of the limbic sys- neuropeptides bind to their receptors. This is what makes both tem include the amygdala, cingulate gyrus, hippocampus and the neuropeptides and their receptors "molecules of emotion". hypothalamus. The two parts especially concerned with emotions Different cells and tissues in the body produce greater or lesser are the amygdala and the cingulate gyrus. amounts of particular peptides. A classic example of tissues that Extensive connections between the limbic system and lower produce peptides that cause certain strong feelings and emotions and higher brain regions allow the system to integrate and respond would be the ovaries and testes. to a wide variety of environmental stimuli; e.g., the amygdala in The natural substances that bind to the opiate receptors are the anterior temporal lobe of each cerebral hemisphere receives enkephalins or endorphins (depending on whether you are British input from sensory areas and sends messages to the rest of the or American). These are natural opiates and are shot out into the limbic system to produce emotional arousal. This activity cas- circulation after severe trauma, such as burns, to deaden the pain cades into the hypothalamus and, from there, it is connected immediately. They are produced in smaller amounts in athletes, through dense nerve and capillary networks to the pituitary gland e.g., the so-called "runner's high" experienced by marathon run- and, in turn, to the autonomic nervous system. (The autonomic ners. Opiates are also circulating nervous system is that part of the ner- freely when we are in a state of well- em that regulates involuntary eing, or in a rare state of sheer bliss! function, including activity of cardiac This constant, changing flow of muscle, smooth muscle of the gut and mojecular information throughout the The limbic system or Pronchioles, and glandular secretion. It ody occurs mainly outside our A a as two divisions: the sympathetic ner- conscious awareness. We become emotional brain has the vous system, which, among other aware of thing pening nly | __ansest collection off ine scl War at consi ut this is only a fraction of the neuropeptide bonding sites is concerned in the "flight or fight" activity gong on which, helps in the brain. mechanism: anit oposi numer, sychosomatic ailments such as which slows heart rate, increases irritable colon are attributed to the intestinal peristalsis and gland activity, subconscious mind. relaxes sphincters, etc.) In establishing the biomolecular basis Because the hypothalamus is both a for emotions, Pert demonstrated convincingly—in a way that no command centre for the autonomic nervous system and a centre one has done before—that body and mind are one. An important for emotional response, it is not surprising that emotional stress or spin-off of the research is the provision of a basis for answering overload can lead to psychosomatic illness. Parts of the limbic the question, "How is it that some bodywork modalities are able system are also closely connected with the (cognitive) prefrontal to be of such enormous therapeutic value?" lobes of the cerebral hemispheres, so it is also not surprising that The answer to the debate that has been raging for many yea there is an intimate relationship between our thoughts (mediated whether emotions, drives and feelings originate in the brain or in _ by the cognitive brain) and our feelings (mediated by the other tissues of the body—lies in understanding how the brain and emotional brain). The two-way communication between body interact to produce both visceral (or involuntary) cognitive and emotional regions explains why sometimes physiological states and the experience of emotions. According to emotions override logic, and why sometimes reason overrides the Eckhart Tolle, emotion arises at the place where mind and body desire to express emotions. meet, and could be defined as the body's reaction to the mind. The limbic system or emotional brain has the densest collection The research of Dr Candace Pert and her colleagues shows that of neuropeptide bonding sites in the brain. Neurons in these areas neuropeptide interactions take place in both directions. Every can manufacture, send and receive every one of the neuropeptides change in the physiological state is companied by a change in now known. Each neuron can display millions of neuropeptide the mental emotional state, conscious or unconscious; and receptors on its membrane at any given time and can change the conversely, every change in the emotional state is accompanied populations of specific types of receptors displayed, according to by a change in the physiological state. The regulator of this either previous stimuli or current needs. process—the place where mind and body meet—is known by Concentrations of neuropeptide receptors are especially dense some as the limbic system. in areas where sensory information enters the brain, and where motor connections are distributed to both skeletal and autonomic THE LIMBIC SYSTEM muscular systems. Our deepest convictions—those that The limbic system or "emotional brain" is that part of the brain unconsciously structure all of our individual experience and concerned with emotions and memory response. Although there behaviour—are products of the limbic system. is not complete agreement on the definition and structure of the The blood delivers neuropeptides secreted by the brain to their The limbic system or emotional brain has the neuropeptide bonding sites in the brain. THE LIMBIC SYSTEM The limbic system or "emotional brain" is that part of the brain concerned with emotions and memory response. Although there is not complete agreement on the definition and structure of the 40 = NEXUS MOLECULES OF EMOTION densest collection of www.nexusmagazine.com DECEMBER 2002 — JANUARY 2003