THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
HOW TO
PREVENT FEAR FROM HIGHJACKING YOUR BRAIN AND DEFENSES
Dr Abayomi Aiyesimoju
The Covid-19 pandemic has also given rise to a
pandemic of fear which could even do more damage than the viral pandemic
itself. This article draws attention to what neuroscience has now found to be
the heavy toll that fear takes on several vital parts of the brain and through
that on the entire defense of the body and on the proper functioning of the
mind. How these grave dangers of fear arise is explained and solutions offered
for use during the pandemic and beyond.
Alongside the global fear during this pandemic there
is a wide range of other accompanying mental and emotional health issues. With
lockdown, isolation, social distancing, collapse in the economy and various
aspects of the social structure, there has been a rising incidence of anxiety,
depression, sleep disturbance, lethargy, a sense of hopelessness, loneliness,
irritability, and even panic attacks.
These mental health issues vary from person to
person depending on their particular circumstances and also on the predisposing
state of their brains. In addition, however, the negative thoughts and emotions
accompanying these mental health conditions also have their profound effects on
the brain itself, further aggravating the situation and sometimes leading to a
vicious cycle.
Look
at the pictures below showing what the scan of the brain is like under
different states of mind namely: 1. A state of gratitude and 2. A state of
fear.
YOUR BRAIN AND YOUR STATE OF MIND
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Cin
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Brain in gratitude Brain in fear
This
is a special scan, a S.P.E.C.T. (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)
scan, from Dr Daniel Amen’s collections in which the areas in red are parts of
the brain receiving the most blood supply. The difference between blood flow to
various parts of the brain during positive states of mind, like gratitude, and
negative states, such as fear, is like that between day and night. With
positive emotions the blood flow to the brain makes it light up like a
Christmas tree whereas a negative state, like fear, brings about a frightful
shutdown in many vital parts.
In general, fear generates a
stress response in the body with an increase in the level of circulating
cortisol. This results in impairment of the immune system with increased
susceptibility to ailments, including covid-19 infection and the
disease
it causes. The shutting down of blood supply to some vital parts of the brain
by fear further aggravates the situation, contributing thereby to the vicious
cycle.
Apart
from the impairment of the immune system, however, the parts of the brain that
are adversely affected by fear do have their significant impact on the
well-being of the individual, with telling effects with or without covid-19
infection.
Let
us now look at these areas of the brain affected by fear and see what impacts
their dysfunction has on the individual.
Let
us start with the cerebellum towards the back of the brain, in bright red in
the picture on the left. This part of the brain although very conspicuously
well supplied with blood in the state of positive thoughts, like gratitude, can
be seen to be functionally “wiped out” in the state of fear, as shown in the
picture to the right.
What
are the implications of this functional shutdown of the cerebellum, during fear
for the individual? The cerebellum is that part of the brain that has long been
known to control and integrate our physical movements, thereby making them
smooth, rhythmic, accurate and of the correct speed. When this part is not
functioning well, therefore, you become uncoordinated, accident prone, and
experience difficulties with physical activity.
You become, in the words of Dr Amen, “like the baseball player who keeps
striking out no matter how hard he tries not to.” This is not all, however. Neuroscience has
also found that just as the cerebellum coordinates our physical movements it
also coordinates our words and our thoughts and refines them as well. Further,
brain scientists are also finding that the cerebellum has a role to play in
creativity and in intuition. A dysfunction of the cerebellum therefore, means
that the higher mental functions of thinking, judgment, planning,
problem-solving, and intuition are also impaired with all the attending
predispositions that can be hazardous at any time not to mention at such a time
as during a pandemic. In addition, from the spiritual perspective the fact that
the cerebellum is now being recognized to be a part of the brain for the
intuitive faculty, also means that the effect of fear on the cerebellum can
actually bring about a disconnection with vital spiritual, intuitive guidance
and protection. A very dangerous state to be in at any time, not to mention at
such grave times as we are now in.
Another part of the brain that
suffers in its function because of fear is the left temporal lobe. This part is
slightly indented when you look at the scan in the state of fear. This is the
part of your brain that keeps your mood on an even keel. When this part of the
brain is affected by fear or any other negative thoughts or emotions, you
actually become emotionally unstable and may experience anxiety or fear for no
apparent reason. Your thoughts become jumbled and your memory impaired. Worse
still you may even become susceptible to rage, violent thoughts as well as
actions. You may feel angry, hostile, frustrated, distressed, anxious and
depressed. These very emotions may make you respond with negative thoughts and
behaviour in a vicious cycle.
Yet other parts of the brain that
are seen to be relatively shut down by fear are the left basal ganglia,
(labelled in the upper right side of the images) and the anterior cingulate
gyrus (centre top). These areas are
needed for you to remain flexible, collaborative and motivated to set goals.
These are attributes that are needed at any time of our lives but certainly
very vital at such a time as during this pandemic.
Great
is the danger of fear and other negative thoughts and emotions. It behoves
everyone, therefore, not to succumb to fear and its damaging effects nor to
other negative emotions during this pandemic. Otherwise you would be a victim
of your own mind.
Take
all measures advised by the medical experts regarding hygiene, social
distancing, diet, exercise, sleep, relaxation, stress management, and the right
kind of relating to other people and try and stay above it all without fear and
without succumbing to negatives thoughts. They harm mind, brain and body,
breach your defenses and lower your immunity and thereby making you
susceptible.
Laughter
is still the best medicine and the fearless man is always at an advantage!
Dr Abayomi Aiyesimoju
MB.BS: FMCP, DIHom. FBIH, DTM
Consultant Neurologist, Homeopath, Brain Coach,
MyBrain Practitioner and Brain Optimization Consultant
