Limbic Healing and Emotional Self-Care

The Problem with the
​Limbic System

The limbic system is a part of our brain that helps us process our feelings and our memories. It's actually a group of brain structures that includes the amygdala, the hippocampus and the hypothalamus.

The amygdala helps us process our feelings, like anger or fear, etc. The hippocampus helps us store what we experience as memory, which may also include the meaning we make of those experiences.

And the hypothalamus helps to regulate things like whether we feel hot or cold or when we become aware that we are hungry.

Google's AI reminded me that it is also connected to behavior, like fight or flight responses, and other survival behaviors.

So if we have patterned ways of responding to life, the limbic system probably has had a hand in creating that repetition. And if the limbic system is dysfunctional, that is not a good thing.

We can overreact emotionally and have a hard time managing our feelings. We can have constant stress because our fight-or-flight responses gets triggered when we aren't actually in danger.

And this is only the beginning. Mental health issues and physical health challenges can all begin with a limbic system that is dysfunctional.

Now, I am just scratching the surface and giving you a summary of what I know or have learned about the limbic system, so that you will better understand the concepts below about how we can affect each other emotionally.
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Our brain chemistry and nervous systems are measurably affected by those closest to us (limbic resonance); that our systems synchronize with one another in a way that has profound implications for personality and lifelong emotional health (limbic regulation); and that these set patterns can be modified through therapeutic practice (limbic revision) - Wikipedia, referencing A General Theory of Love

Limbic Healing and Self-Care

Last month, I watched an episode of Mayim Bialik's podcast (she is an actress and a neuroscientist) and she was talking to Deepak Chopra. I loved the whole thing - it was fascinating - but was particularly struck by what he said about affecting the limbic system.

He described a situation during which one person gave loving attention to another one and that led to limbic resonance, which then meant that the one person was able to heal the other person. In fact, that entire portion of the podcast explained how energy healing works!

Here's Gemini's summary of the video...

Here's a summary of the connection between love and the limbic system, as discussed in the video:
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When individuals are in a loving relationship, a healing process occurs. If the healer pays loving attention to the patient, limbic resonance occurs, causing their emotional brains to synchronize [47:41].

The healer's limbic system then starts to regulate the patient's nervous system and neural networks through loving attention [47:49]. This attention involves listening, affection, appreciation, and acceptance [48:14].

Limbic resonance evolves into limbic regulation, rewiring the neural networks [48:36].

Ultimately, limbic revision takes place, leading to changes in the brain [48:47].

This process explains energetic healing, where healers can connect and heal patients remotely [48:56]. Love, in this context, is described as non-local correlation or entanglement, connecting souls [49:12].

To learn more from this fascinating video, watch the video below.

But first, can you imagine the power of our own self-care for healing us? Taking the time for self-care, and then giving yourself loving attention, acceptance and appreciation for who you are will likely lead to healing.
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When you practice self-love, your brain shifts. The emotional centers of your brain, like the limbic system, begin to regulate emotions more effectively. Self-love strengthens the prefrontal cortex, which helps with self-awareness, decision-making, and emotional balance, while also calming the amygdala, reducing fear and anxiety.
-Psychology Today

I want to talk more about practicing self-love and emotional self-care in the next post, but meanwhile, in your experience of yourself and others for the next few days, think about the power of loving attention.

To yourself and to those you encounter. And what about letting love in more and how that might have a healing impact on us.

Let me know if you watch the video, or even that part of it. Tell me what you think.

Have a great weekend! See you next week.

Love, Jeanine
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