People have wondered about the benefits of our Phytotherapi Stress program. Â In order to understand those benefits, we need to first have a clear understanding of chronic stress and the effects it has on the brain as well as its effects at the cellular level.
Stress is very harsh on the brain and creates many problems if we’re constantly feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. One of the main problems chronic stress creates is the depletion of dopamine production. Dopamine is a chemical produced by the brain that brings feelings of happiness. In addition to other important functions, this chemical helps us stay motivated to reach desired goals. A lack of dopamine leads to constant feelings of sadness, a lack of desire, sluggishness, and depression. When we experience a shortage of dopamine, stress and depression can lead us to participate in activities that we otherwise wouldn’t, such as viewing pornography, drinking alcohol, smoking, over eating, gambling or compulsive shopping. That’s because these forms of entertainment/recreation causes the brain to produce more dopamine. Often times, this leads to addictions as these activities cause a dopamine surge that quickly drops once the activity is over.  As a consequence, our bodies crave the dopamine surge causing us to feel like we need more of that activity in order to get the same dopamine high. In addition to possible brain damage, addictions hurt our self-confidence and relationships with others, creating additional tensions and stress.  Inevitably the remedy for alleviating stress ends up actually poisoning our character and our creating more damage in our minds and bodies.
Stress and its impact on the brain
Chronic stress also creates an imbalance in neurotransmitters. In attempt to alleviate itself from the strain of stress, the body begins creating the production of specific neurotransmitters. Although meant to help, this can cause an imbalance, affecting the reflex and stimulation cycles for tissues and organs.
Other parts of the brain also suffer due to feelings of constant anxiety. Special cells in the brain, called neurons, become inflamed damaging the hippocampus. The pineal gland also suffers, causing a reduction of melatonin. Lack of melatonin can lead to sleep problems such as insomnia.
Problems with the neocortex and the connection to the limbic area also occur. This is very damaging because our self-worth paradigm is built into the neocortex while our sense of self-image is built in the limbic (conscious) area of the brain. When connectivity is lacking we see our self-value and happiness as dependent on external circumstance and what others think of us. Our values and morals are also filed in the neocortex. A bad connection between the neocortex and limbic area makes us more susceptible to make wrong choices in an effort to gain the approval of others; it also leads to making bad choices due to lack of good judgment. Lastly, the neocortex region helps us recollect our mistakes, leading us to have more patience with others so that we can live in harmony. It also reminds us that the mistakes of others, or our own, don’t automatically qualify as a death sentence. When the connection is weakened we are prone to being overly critical of ourselves and others.
Other regions of the brain – the amygdala and basal ganglia – become hyperactive. These areas of the brain are responsible for activating the stress mechanism. When hyperactive, the stress mechanism turns on easily or never fully shut off – leading us to be in a state of constant worry and alert. We begin to see things with less clarity.  New events and situations are seen as threats or possible dangers instead of opportunities to learn. Additionally, we lose our sense of creativity and sensitivity, affecting our talents and relationship with others.
Other problems stress creates include:
High levels of toxicity
Formation of beta amyloid- Responsible for memory loss. This has been found in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s Disease
Circulation problems to the brain- This additionally is one of the root causes of headaches and migraines, as well as potentially causing facial paralysis and cerebral thrombosis
Reduction of both white and brown matter
Autoimmune problems- These include allergies and Glial cell problems (in charge of nurturing neurons as well as protecting them pathogens and other threats)
Ego formation incorrectly wired
Cellular damage
We’ve written a great deal in other posts about the effects of chronic stress on the body. As a review, the digestive, immune, and endocrine (hormonal) systems are all weakened. This leads to deterioration and chaos in the body. If we look even closer at the cellular level we see many problems.
The telomerase, which is the end part of a chromosome, reduces at a faster rate than normal. Tilotelomerase, an enzyme that supports telomerase, is also diminished. The combination of the two leads to early aging.
Other problems include:
Broken cellular communication
An inability to control and remove unhealthy cells
Gene communication and reparation is affected
Chronic inflammation
The implication of the problems stress creates on our minds and our bodies is very real. This makes it difficult for our bodies to heal when faced with chronic stress. Chronic stress is in fact the root cause of 98% of all non-genetic chronic health problems.
Benefits of the Phytotherapi Stress protocol
Our stress protocol has helped many people find balance in their lives. One of the primary reasons is due to how the program promotes a healthy level of dopamine release. This increases homeostasis, allowing us to feel happier and more motivated. As we feel better, we’re better able to connect with others and feel compassion and empathy.
The program is also meant to help the body calm the amygdala and basal ganglia. This helps the stress mechanism turn off and allows the body physiology to return to normal.  When stress is deactivated we’re able to see situations with more clarity and focus, instead of seeing constant threats.The neocortex is also able to communicate better with the limbic region, helping us to observe our own behavior and learn to live peacefully with others. We are able to be happy despite what others think of us. This also helps us be more patient and forgiving with our own selves.
Other benefits include:
Slowing down cellular aging
Less inflammation
Better sleep
Increased sense of gratitude
Improved learning and retention
Improved memory and recollection
Our protocol includes using Phytotherapi Stress and applying it topically 5 times a day for 2 days. As improvements are made, it is applied 3 times a day. Through using Phytotherapi Stress, customers have commented that they are able to begin feeling positively about themselves and able to remove feelings of self-pity, victimization, rash judgments, etc. Instead they’ve reported feeling more focused on integrating loved ones into their life.
It is also important for those on the protocol to get 8 hours of sleep each night, eat 5 times a day (with dinner no later than 7pm and breakfast no later than an hour and half after waking up). Â Water intake is also important as they should drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. Â Each glass of water should be 8 oz.
A minimum of 20 minutes of physical activity 5 times a week is also important as it releases serotonin into the body. Having a good laugh each day helps more than people realize. If you live with your family give them hugs each day. If living alone, hug coworkers or friends. Oxytocin increases with hugs.
Every 30 minutes stop to inhale and exhale. This should be done slowly, focusing on the sound created from mechanical breathing. As we do this, the brain starts building new neuron circuitry that helps it heal.
More dopamine is released into the brain with good entertainment. Remove any negative form of entertainment such as the news, soap operas or any television shows that promote violence or disrespect for humanity as these trigger the stress mechanism. Select good, uplifting entertainment.
Don’t neglect any commitments you may have. As you follow the program, many people have commented that they begin to feel impressions to do good. These impressions come from the neocortex region of the brain. These impressions may beckon you to call a loved one or to stop participating in a certain activity. Many times these impressions include a desire to create amends or to resolve previous mistakes. Follow these impressions immediately. Often times, chronic stress comes due to an accumulation of previous events that we’ve never resolved or reconciled. As we follow the impressions and guidance our minds give us, we’ll learn how to become a better person and progress towards it.