Neuropsychological Immunology (NPI)

In the early 1920s a theory was developed to suggest that diseases might be caused predominantly by misdirection or misinterpretation of information perceived by the mind, which then manifested itself as malfunction  or disease in the body and its immune system. This theory was named 'psychosomatics'.

In 1974, a psychologist, Robert Ader, discovered that the immune system, like the brain, could learn. This was something of a shock to those whose prevailing wisdom in medicine had been that only the brain and central nervous system could respond to experience by changing how they behaved. Ader's findings led to the investigation of what are turning out to be myriad ways in which the central nervous system and the immune system communicate. Biological pathways, that make the mind, the emotions, and the body not separate, but intimately entwined.

The immune system is the body's brain. It decides what belongs in it and what does not. Immune cells travel in the bloodstream throughout the entire body, contacting virtually every other cell.

Since Ader's discovery, a new look has been taken at the links between the immune system and the central nervous system. The field that studies this, Neuropsychological Immunology (or N.P.I), is now becoming a leading edge medical science.

The link between stress, tension, negative emotional states and resulting disease is now being appreciated, as these states suppress the immune system, minimizing our natural defense system. 

In combatting disease states the practical application of NPI employs the capacity of the mind itself to utilse focused visualisation and meditation to increase the neurological stimulus to various key internal organs. 

These principles of NPI can certainly be used in self-healing. Using the power of thought and visualisation, combined with relaxation, can significantly reduce blood pressure, slow down the heart rate, regulate breathing and the metabolic rate, reduce adrenaline levels and allow the immune  system to function more efficiently.

Visualisation and meditation can be adapted to whatever you and your body require, so if you are confident to work alone then sending energy and coloured light to parts of your body that need healing can be very effective. Visualising yourself as happy, healthy and pain free is programming your mind, which in turn sends messages of wellness to your body. If you prefer to work with a practitioner, then they will work with you as a guide, but essentially YOU will do the work.

You might like to concentrate on a pain in your body and ask this pain what purpose it is serving and what it is telling you...believe the response that you receive, which will usually relate to an external state or emotion. If you are spiritually minded, you may like to ask your higher self, angels or guides to help you, as you send loving energy into this pain and see how it and the situation it is referring to responds.

The following pages are general meditations, but they may be of interest to you, and I wish you every success in your new role as master of your own health and well-being. 

Simple Meditation

Reflection of the heart

Path of Colour