ERIC ED460840: Healing and the Mind with Bill Moyers. Resource Materials.

31 Pages·1993·1.1 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 460 840
SE 062 664
AUTHOR
Grippo, Lois; Kelso, Richard
TITLE
Healing and the Mind with Bill Moyers. Resource Materials.
INSTITUTION
Thirteen WNET, New York, NY.
SPONS AGENCY
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Chicago, IL.
PUB DATE
1993-00-00
NOTE
30p.; Poster and videotape are not available from ERIC.
Funding provided by The Fetzer Institute; Mutual of America
Life Insurance Company; and The Nathan Cummings Foundation.
AVAILABLE FROM
Educational Publishing, Thirteen-WNET, 356 W. 58th Street,
New York, NY 10019. Web'site: http://www.wnet.org; Web site:
http://www.pbs.org. Video: Ambrose Video, 1290 Avenue of the
Americas, Suite 2245, New York, NY 10104. Tel: [phone]
(Toll Free).
PUB TYPE
Guides
Classroom
Teacher (052)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
Buddhism; Cancer; Chinese Culture; Educational Television;
Foreign Countries; Health Education; Heart Disorders; High
Schools; *Human Body; Medicine; *Meditation; Mysticism;
Philosophy; *Physical Health; *Psychophysiology; Science
Education; Social Studies; Spirituality; *Stress Variables;
World Views
IDENTIFIERS
*Healing; New Age Thinking; *Nontraditional Medicine
.ABSTRACT
This high school resource package for the public television
series "Healing and the Mind with Bill Moyers" includes:
(1) a teacher's
guide that provides complete lesson plans for each program in the series;
(2)
a glossary that features definitions of the terms used in the series;
(3) a
bibliography containing books of interest to both teachers and students;
(4)
a resources section that provides a list of journals, teacher training
workshops, and organizations that can offer more information on the topics
presented in the Series; and (5) student cards that can be duplicated and
distributed to students and are designed to give additional information on a
variety of subjects related to the programs. The first episode, "The Mystery
of Chi," explores traditional Chinese medicine and its fusion with Western
practices in modern China. The science of mind-body medicine is the subject
of "The Mind Body Connection," which examines current scientific research in
the field. The ways in which people are using Eastern meditation and group
psychotherapy to improve the healing capacities within their bodies are
explored in "Healing From Within." "The Art of Healing" examines how
hospitals are instituting new models of medical care that can help patients
become active participants in their own healing. The final program in the
series, "Wounded Healers," visits Commonweal, a health education facility in
northern California where people with cancer help each other to heal even
though a cure may be impossible.
(WRM)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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Office of Educational Research end Improvement
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DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS
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ved from the person Or organization
originating it
O Minor changes have been made to
improve reproduction quality
Points of view or opinions stated in this
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document do not necessarily represent
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
official OERI position or policy
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January 1993
This guide was produced by
lIiithn net
Dear Educator:
Educational Resources Center,
My interest in the relation of mind and body started a long time ago, growing
Ruth Ann Burns, Director
up as I did in a culture that separated them so distinctly. In science class, we
Project Director
studied the material world, which we expected would someday be understood
Robert A. Miller
and predicted down to the last molecule. In philosophy, we studied models of
Supervising Editor
Christine Economos
reality, based on the rational mind, that took no notice of conditions male and
Graphic Designer
female, sick and well, rich and poor. Yet every day in this divided world of
B.T. Whitehill
mind and body, our language betrayed the limitations of our categories. My
Writers
parents talked about our friend the grocer, who "worried himself sick," and
Lois Grippo
Richard Kelso
my Uncle Carl believed that laughter could ease what ailed you. Over the
Project Coordinator/Assistant Editor
years, my interest in questions of mind, body, and health grew, both person-
Lisa Keating
ally and professionally, and eventually led to HEALING AND THE MIND.
Photo Researchers
Christina L. Draper
David Reisman, Ed.D.
I believe this series has particular relevance to young people. For them to
Electronic Composition
understand the connection between emotions and health is important under
Lou Lomurno
any circumstances, but such understanding is imperative today, given the life
Copy Editor
and death implications of so many decisions confronting teenagers, from the
Edwina McMahon
Proofreader
use of drugs to issues of sex. In the words of Vaclav Havel, "Every education
Kevin E. Kennedy
is a kind of inward journey." The education young people receive today surely
must lead them into a deeper understanding of the inner sources of health.
Core Consultants
Georganne Del Canto, Assistant Director
During the production of HEALING AND THE MIND, my colleagues and
Health, Physical Education and School Sports
New York City Board of Education
I made our own journey, one that sought to answer many of the questions that
Harris Dienstfrey, Editor
provoked our curiosity about the emerging field of mind-body medicine. We
Advances,The Journal of Mind-Body Health
encountered new questions, too
for which there are not yet answers.
Judy Doctoroff O'Neill, Vice President
If the series advocates anything, it is that the journey is worth making for
Public Affairs Television
what each of us might learn about this remarkable union of mind, body and
Patricia Moore Harbour, Ed.D., President
spirit that is the human being. I invite you and your students to join us.
The Center for Quality Education
Carol Hegedus, Director of Institutional Relations
The Fetzer Institute
Sincerely,
Marilyn Howell, Ed.D.
Brookline High School
David Sluyter, Ed.D., Program Officer
The Fetzer Institute
Bill Moyers
Molly Vass, Ed.D.
Western Michigan University
Advisors
David Eisenberg, M.D.
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
The HEALING AND THE MIND WITH BILL MOYERS Series
Associate in Medicine, Beth Israel Hospital
Executive Producer
Series funding provided by The Fetzer Institute,
James Gordon, M.D., Clinical Professor.
David Grubin
Mutual of America Life Insurance Company,
Depts. of Psychiatry, Community, and
Laurance S. Rockefeller, The John D. and
Executive Editors
Family Medicine
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and by
Bill Moyers
Georgetown University School of Medicine
The Nathan Cummings Foundation.
Judith Davidson Moyers
Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., Director
Producers
Stress Reduction Clinic
Chana Gazit
University of Massachusetts Medical Center
David Grubin
Michael Lerner, Ph. D., President
Alice Markowitz
Commonweal
Pamela Mason Wagner
Karen Olness, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics,
Project Administration
Family Medicine and International Health
Dana Fox
Case Western Reserve University
Linda Patterson
Debbie Rubenstein
Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., Director
Institute for the Study of Health and Illness at
Commonweal
© 1993 Thirteen/WNET
The complete set of HEALING AND THE MIND WITH BILL MOYERS,
a five-part series, can be purchased for educational or library use for $395
(plus shipping and handling). Individual programs are available at $99.95
(plus shipping and handling). Shipping and handling costs are $5 for the first
tape and $1 for each additional tape. Contact:
Ambrose Video
1290 Avenue 6f the Americas, Suite 2245
New York, NY 10104
Or call toll free: 1-800-526-4663
The book, HEALING AND THE MIND With Bill Moyers, is available at your local
bookstore for $25.99 or by calling 1-800-223-6834 (ext. 9479).
In New York call 212-765-6500.
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TOP
C DNDEX
PROGRAM I
ABLE OF CONTENTS
THE MYSTERY OF CHO
STUDENT CARD: "HEALING AROUND THE WORLD"
Health Education
traditional healing arts
allopathic medicine
Chinese medicine
Tai Chi Chuan
acupuncture
acupressure
massage
To The Teacher
homeopathic medicine
Chi Gong
1
Science
The Mystery of Chi
2
Use of acupuncture in brain surgery
Social Studies
The Mind Body Connection
4
Peoples and Cultures
United States
South America
Africa
China
India
Egypt
Healing From Within
Western Europe
(Native American)
6
The Art of Healing
PROGRAM 2
8
THE MOND BODY CONNIECTOON
STUDENT CARD: "THE IMMUNE SYSTEM"
Wounded Healers
1 0
Health Education
importance of diet, exercise, stress
Reversal of heart disease
Glossary
12
biofeedback
reduction and group support
Bibliography
13
Science
the immune system
Overview of mind-body research
relationship of the immune system to the emotions
links
between the nervous system and the immune system
neuropeptides biofeedback
conditioning immune response
heart disease
PROGRAM 3
D-1EALING FROM WOTHON
STUDENT CARD: "WELLNESS SELF-ASSESSMENT"
Health Education
NOTE:
Buddhist
Self-assessment of behaviors related to health
You have the right to tape the programs off the air and use
effects of
relaxation
meditation known as mindfulness
them for instructional purposes through June 30, 1993.
meditation and group psychotherapy on those who are ill
importance of expressing feelings
The programs are closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
Science
group psychotherapy
cancer
PROGRAM 4
THE ART OF HE ALONG
ABOUT THE FUNDER
STUDENT CARD: "TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH"
Health Education
The Fetzer Institute
how to cope when a loved
Taking an active part in your health
9292 West KL Avenue
therapeutic touch
role playing
nurturing
one is ill
massage
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Science
[phone]
new models of medical care open heart
Neonatal clinic
The Fetzer Institute is a nonprofit educational organization that
surgery
promotes research into health-care methods that utilize the
Social Studies
principles of mind-body phenomena. The Institute believes that
overview of role of hospitals
Satellite hospitals in urban areas
the study of the mind's influence on the body
throughout history
and the relation-
ship of the body, mind, and spirit
can provide the basis for
PROGRAM 5
developing scientifically sound approaches to health care that
WOUNDED HEALERS
expand the scope of medical science and give individuals greater
STUDENT CARD: "THE CIRCLE OF LIFE"
control over their own health.
Health Education
The Institute works collaboratively with other research and
Relationship of family members to the seriously ill
healing
educational organizations and institutions. Its research interests
function of yoga, meditation, massage, relaxation, poetry, art,
are aimed at exploring the relationship between the mind and the
and prayer
healing and curing
body and its impact on health. Its educational activities are
Science
directed toward the development of mind-body curricula for
Cancer
medical schools and health professionals and the dissemination of
Social Studies
research findings into the educational process.
Peoples and Cultures
Zaire
Cameroon
Brazil (Candomblé)
United States
rituals celebrating
Native American
Mexico
China
Peru
life transitions and milestones
6
TO
-HE TEACHER
o A Teacher's Guide that provides complete lesson plans for each
INTRODUCTION
program in the series. Each lesson plan includes:
In Boston, a construction worker learns a form of Buddhist meditation
A Topic Index that lists the corresponding curriculum areas for
that he hopes will help alleviate his chronic pain. In China, a fully
each program.
conscious woman undergoes brain surgery in which acupuncture is
Background/Overview that offers a brief history and overview of
used to minimize the need for anesthesia. In California, a group of
the program's subject. This background information may be
women with metastatic breast cancer attend a weekly psychotherapy
duplicated for students.
support group in hopes of easing anxiety and depression and enhanc-
ing their lives. In Dallas, patients review their medical records in a
Program Summary that gives a brief synopsis of the program.
program designed to help them become partners in their own healing.
Goals that provide the teacher with outcomes for each lesson.
These are only some of the models today's Western medical practition-
Introducing the Program that recommends an approach for
ers are examining in an effort to understand the healing connection
introducing students to the basic theme of the program without
between the mind and the body.
requiring any prior knowledge or preparation.
For thousands of years the connections between mind and body have
Discussion Questions that help students assess the main points of
been central to the healing traditions of many cultures. Western
the program and extend them to their own experience.
medicine, with its extraordinary advances in research and technology,
Introduction to the Student Card that introduces students to the
has only recently begun to reconsider this relationship. Scientific
activity on the student card accompanying the lesson.
research, for example, is examining the connection between the
Activities that help students explore and extend the themes
immune system and the emotions; the effectiveness of traditional
presented in the program.
healing arts is being studied using scientific methods; and the effect of
Suggested Reading that features books that not only correspond to
new clinical approaches, designed to help patients take an active role
the program's theme but also may be of special interest to students.
in healing, are being carefully documented.
o A Glossary that provides definitions of terms that are used in the
In HEALING AND THE MIND WITH BILL MOYERS, a five-part
series appears on page 12.
series premiering on public television in February, 1993, Bill Moyers
explores healing approaches that are outside the framework of
o A Bibliography with books of interest to both teachers and
Western allopathic medicine. "The Mystery of Chi" explores tradi-
students appears on page 13.
tional Chinese medicine and its fusion with Western practices in
o A Resources Section provides a list of journals, teacher training
modern China. The science of mind-body medicine is the subject of
workshops, and organizations that can offer more information on
"The Mind Body Connection," which examines current scientific
the topics presented in the series.
research in the field. How people are using Eastern meditation and
group psychotherapy to improve the healing capacities within their
o Student Cards that can be duplicated and distributed to students
bodies is explored in "Healing From Within." "The Art of Healing"
are designed to give them additional information on a variety of
examines how hospitals are instituting new models of medical care
subjects related to the programs. These four cards include: a health
that can help patients become active participants in their own healing.
inventory, a description of the functioning of the immune system,
The final program in the series, "Wounded Healers," visits
information on the healing traditions of other cultures, information
Commonweal, a health education facility in northern California
on how to take an active part in your own health, and an overview
where people with cancer help each other to heal even when a cure
of the rites of passage, as celebrated in different cultures, which
may be impossible.
mark a person's journey through life.
o A Poster is also provided for classroom display.
USING THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
For today's young person, health choices have life and death implica-
PROGRAM SCHEDULING
tions. Drug and alcohol abuse as well as the threat of AIDS have put
The programs are scheduled to be broadcast initially on the following
greater pressure on educators to prepare students to face challenges
dates. Please check local listings for any scheduling changes. Contact
and to make healthy choices. In this context, these educational
your local station for rebroadcast schedules.
materials, which highlight the mind's role in health and healing, can
play a valuable role in high school classes. The underlying objectives
The Mystery of Chi
of the materials are-to provide students with new ways to look at
Monday, February 22
9:00 p.m.
health and to give them information that can help them make good,
The Mind Body Connection
informed choices that will contribute to their health and well-being.
Monday, February 22
10:00 p.m.
HEALING AND THE MIND is appropriate for health and science
Healing From Within
curricula at the secondary level and can be integrated into social
Tuesday, February 23
9:00 p.m.
studies and guidance classes as well. The educational materials are
designed to be used in conjunction with the programs, but can also
The Art of Healing
function as permanent reference units that can be used without the
Wednesday, February 24
9:00 p.m.
program component..
Wounded Healers
Contents
Wednesday, February 24
10:00 p.m.
This High School Resource Package contains the following:
All programs are 60 minutes long except for "Healing From Within,"
which is 90 minutes in length.
7
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BROADCAST DATE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 9:00 P.M.
-ERY OF CH
-HE MYS-
ACCOMPANYING STUDENT CARD: HEALING AROUND THE WORLD
PROGRAM SUMMARY
ACKGROUND/OVERVIIEW
Chinese Medicine. The term sounds foreign, even exotic to
Filmed on location in the People's Republic of China,
many Western minds, because we've learned to think of
of HEALING AND
"The Mystery of Chi," Program
I
medicine as synonymous with European and American
THE MIND, explores various aspects of traditional
science. For more than a decade, however, Western physicians
Chinese medicine. Dr. David Eisenberg, instructor in
have been examining the centuries-old Chinese system and the
medicine at Harvard Medical School and a staff internist
unique insights and methods of treatment that it offers. In
at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital, guides Bill Moyers
general, Chinese practitioners consider all aspects of a
through some startling differences between Chinese
patient's life, including mental state, personality, and social
and Western medicine. Eisenberg and Moyers inter-
and physical environment, and their bearing on the person's
view Chinese doctors who combine Western ap-
health. They consider symptoms part of the pattern of a
proaches to medicine with traditional Chinese meth-
person's life. In contrast, Western practitioners tend to focus
ods; they interview teachers of herbal medicine, acu-
on specific diseases and their causes.
puncture, massage, and Tai Chi Chuan and witness an
extraordinary demonstration by a Chi Gong master.
The Chinese system of medicine is based on several
The two Westerners pose probing questions about the
important ideas.
nature of Chinese medicine, the possibility of integrat-
o Yin and Yang. In Chinese philosophy, these are the dy-
ing its theory and techniques into Western medical
namic, opposing but complementary forces that are present in
practices, and the necessity of using the scientific method
animate as well as inanimate
all parts of the universe
to test its efficacy.
objects, visible as well as invisible phenomena. For example,
night and day; temperature
time has yin and yang aspects
light and heavy. All foods
heat and cold; weight has
has
have yin and yang aspects, as do all organs of the body.
techniques, or a combination of both traditional
Western
o Chi or Qi (pronounced CHEE). In very simple terms, Chi is
Chinese and Western methods. The patient's decision about
said to be the human body's vital energy. From the perspective
which treatment to pursue is usually based on the specific
of Chinese philosophy and medicine, it is akin to "matter on
illness that he or she is experiencing.
the verge of becoming energy or energy at the point of
Some Western health-care professionals use concepts and
materializing" into matter. Optimally, according to the Chinese
techniques from Chinese medicine to treat their patients. They
model, Chi circulates freely throughout the body. When the
choose acupuncture, in particular, as a treatment for certain
body's yin and yang properties are in balance, Chi flows
ailments and diseases such as chronic pain and addiction.
smoothly and the person is healthy. When yin and yang are out
Another practice that is gaining acceptance among Western
of balance, Chi is excessive, deficient or blocked and illness
practitioners is the use of meditation and other mental tech-
results.
niques to reduce stress and promote health.
o Every aspect of nature, including a person's surroundings, is
said to have a direct impact on the body. In diagnosing an
GOALS
illness, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine asks questions
about all aspects of the patient's life in order to discern a
to examine traditional Chinese medicine in which the mind
"pattern of disharmony" that would indicate the specific
and the body are considered one entity
imbalance that is causing the illness.
to recognize similarities and differences between Chinese
1>
o Chi is said to travel over 14 major channels and numerous
and Western approaches to health and healing
minor pathways, called meridians, in the body. Meridians do
to expand awareness of ways in which the mind may
1>
not correspond to any known system in Western medicine. In
influence the body
Chinese medicine, the meridian system links the inside of the
to learn about the healing traditions of other cultures.
1).
body to the outside world. Nearly all acupuncture and
acupressure points lie along meridians.
o Chi energy can be directed through acupuncture or
acupressure (a form of deep tissue massage), various forms of
meditation, the heightening of consciousness, and herbal
preparations. These are the main treatments in Chinese
medicine. The aim of treatment is to rebalance yin and yang
8
At dawn people gather in a
and unblock the flow of Chi.
Beijing Park to perform the
o Today the Chinese have a choice of medical treatments.
ancient art of Tai Chi Chuan.
They can be treated with traditional Chinese techniques,
2
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STUDENT CARD
AFTER VIEWING
BEFORE VIEWING
The student card, "Healing Around the
Discussion Questions
Introducing the Program
World," presents traditional healing as prac-
Encourage students to discuss the program
Tell students that they are going to per-
ticed in several cultures throughout the
and to share their observations. The fol-
form a simple experiment. Ask each stu-
world. Introduce the material by having
dent to rub his or her palms together
lowing questions may be used to guide the
students discuss some of the home rem-
discussion.
briskly for 10 seconds. Then have students
edies that their families may have used to
hold their hands about 12 inches apart,
Eili How does a Chinese medical practition-
treat illnesses. Ask them whether they
palms facing each other. Suggest that they
er view a patient? How does a Western
believe the remedies work. Explain that in
bring their hands slowly toward each other
medical practitioner view a patieni? How
many cultures the beliefs in specific medical
until they almost touch and slowly back
might a doctor's beliefs affect treatment?
systems are deeply rooted in the cultures
several times. Ask them to concentrate on
12 Why do you think the hospital featured
themselves. Duplicate and distribute "Heal-
the sensation between their two palms and
in this program has both a traditional Chi-
ing Around the World" to students. After
to describe what they feel. (Note: Some
nese medicine section and a contemporary
they have read the material, ask them to
students may say that they feel nothing.
Western medicine section?
think about whether a person's belief in a
Explain that some people feel nothing and
medical treatment can affect the person's
1:21 Do you think that most Westerners
that that is no cause for concern.) Tell them
recovery.
would like to have a choice of medical
that several interpretations have been ad-
treatments as the Chinese do? Do you
vanced to explain the sensation: one is that
ACTIVITIES
think that Westerners or their insurance
the sensation is caused by the body's en-
companies would be willing to pay for such
ergy field; another is that it is the result of
on Many Chinese practice Tai Chi as a way
treatments? Explain.
stimulated nerve endings in the hands. Have
of awakening and controlling their Chi.
students discuss both interpretations and
gal What aspects of Chinese medicine do
Some students may have studied a martial
explore the possibility that one or both
you think might be the easiest to adopt in
art or Tai Chi itself. Ask such students to
explanations could be correct. After the
the West? What might be the hardest?
demonstrate some of the basic movements
discussion, explain that the belief that each
El) Do you think the scientific method
and to describe the philosophy of the art,
body has a vital energy called Chi is central
or if possible, invite a martial arts instruc-
should be used to test Chinese therapies
to Chinese philosophy and medicine. Tell
tor to give a demonstration for the class, or
before they are recommended or adopted
students that the program they will see,
suggest that interested students visit a
in the West? Is testing relevant or possible?
"The Mystery of Chi," explores some of
martial arts class.
How might such therapies be tested?
the ways in which the Chinese system of
The idea of balance, as shown in the
Do you agree with the belief underlying
medicine provides a unique, nonwestern
Chinese medicine that one's mind influ-
concept of yin and yang, is central to Chi-
frame of reference regarding the human
nese medicine and philosophy. Have stu-
ences one's body, that is, can cause disease
body and the mind. Suggest that as students
dents examine aspects of balance in their
and promote health and healing? Why might
watch the program, they examine the ap-
food, exercise, work (school
own lives
this idea generate controversy?
proach that Chinese medical practitioners
work, volunteer work, and work for in-
take toward health and healing.
come), social interactions, and entertain-
ment or play. Encourage them to identify
Terms/Vocabulary
those aspects that are in balance and those
You may want to write the following terms
that are not in balance. Suggest students
on the board in order to facilitate a discus-
write down their observations in their
sion of the program: acupuncture, meridian,
journals.
Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Gong, yin yang, scientific
EE In the film, the master painter
method. Definitions of these terms appear
describes how he uses his imagination
on page 12.
and Chi in his work
how mind and
body work together. Have students
describe how mind and body work
together in something they do well, such
as in an artistic, musical, or athletic skill.
SUGGESTED READING
Eisenberg, David, M.D. with Thomas Lee
Wright. Encounters with Qi: Exploring
Chinese Medicine. New York and Lon-
don: Penguin Books, 1987.
3
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BROADCAST DATE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22,
1 0:00 P.M.
THE MOND BODY CONNEOMN
ACCOMPANYING STUDENT CARD: THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The mind's capacity to affect physical health has long been
"The Mind Body Connection," Program 2 of
In
acknowledged in a general way. But until recently medical
HEALING AND
MIND, Bill Moyers interviews
THE
science mostly regarded it as a complicating and amorphous
several scientists whose work challenges the centu-
factor
involving such vague elements as thoughts, emotions,
ries-old Western scientific model in which the body
and attitudes
that only got in the way of hard and clear
and the mind were considered separate entities.
science. For example, physicians have known for centuries
Using scientific methods, these scientists have found
that a person's belief in a treatment is often as effective as the
biochemical evidence that the mind and the body
medicine used in the treatment. The effect
called the
function as a single entity.
placebo effect
is so powerful that medical science guards
Moyers asks Dr. Candace Pert about the implications
against it when testing a new drug. People receiving a new
of these findings for health and healing. The answers
drug are always compared with people who receive only a
are startling yet harken back to the oldest folk
placebo, a dummy medication that has no medicinal value
wisdom. One of the most important findings is that
to make sure the drug and not just the person's faith is having
our thoughts and emotions influence our immune
an impact.
system, the body's first line of defense against
Today scientific researchers have found new ways to
infectious disease. For example, Dr. Robert Ader's
explore the mind's effect on the body and to measure it in
experiments show that the immune systems of lower
objective, quantifiable terms. Their work has begun to reveal
animals can be trained both to be more susceptible
the mind's contribution to health and disease. The mind-body
and to resist infectious agents. Research by Dr. Dean
connection is becoming both an important part of modern
Ornish has demonstrated that changing behavior can
medical theory and a practical way to help people maintain
reverse heart disease.
their health.
As these scientists point out, their work is now at
The recent investigations into the mind's influence on the
the threshold of reintroducing the concept of "mind"
body falls into three areas: physiological research, clinical
back into medical science. As their work continues, it
research, and epidemiological research.
is likely to bring about a revolution in the way
Western scientists think about mind and body.
Physiological research is aimed at determining the basic
processes that connect the brain and nervous system with the
rest of the body. The key development of the last decade has
been the birth of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), the effort to
trying to duplicate those results and are testing psychological
understand the links between the brain and the immune
approaches and stress reduction for people with physical
system, the physiological system that protects the body from
problems as diverse as hypertension, migraine headaches,
infectious disease and plays a role in fighting cancer.
chronic pain, diabetes, and infertility.
Building on groundbreaking experiments done in the 1970s
Epidemiological researchers study large groups of people
by Robert Ader, a psychologist, and Nicholas Cohen, an
and try to find social and psychological factors that are
immunologist, researchers in PNI have uncovered a rich array
associated with variations in illness and health. Numerous
of connections between the nervous system and the immune
studies have now shown that people with strong "social
system. They have now shown that nerve cells connect directly
support"
those that have a tight network of family and
to organs of the immune system; that hormones responsive to
friends
live longer than people without such relationships.
stressful experience affect the immune response; and that
Of course, many critical questions remain open. For
psychological and social factors can affect the immune
example, in PNI only a few studies have successfully shown
system's responsiveness. Additional research into the chemi-
an effect of stress on the immune system that is large enough
cals produced by the brain particularly a group of chemicals
to increase the risk of illness. Similarly, although many studies
known as neuropeptides
is showing how the brain and the
have shown a general association between psychological
immune system may communicate. There is now every
factors and illness, few have succeeded in revealing the
indication that the nervous system and the immune system
biological links connecting them. Finally, there is still no
speak the same chemical language and "talk" to each other
comprehensive theory of the mind's influence on health that
continuously.
unifies the varied studies exploring the mind-body connection
no equivalent of the germ theory that underlies modern
Clinical researchers use psychological approaches to try to
research into infectious disease.
affect physical health. The most acclaimed recent study of this
Even without such a theory, however, mind-body research
sort was performed by David Spiegel, a psychiatrist, and his
is providing dramatic new insights in many critical areas: the
colleagues, who found that weekly group-therapy sessions
functioning of the immune system, the value of psychological
dramatically increased the life expectancy of women with
treatments for physical illness, and the link between social
advanced breast cancer. Spiegel's rigorously controlled study
connections and health. It already has the potential to enhance
was the first to show that psychotherapy could extend the lives
our health and our lives.
of at least some cancer patients. Other researchers are now
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