Does the psyche trigger cancer — and cure it again?
Exploring mind-body connection in cancer: nerves influence tumors, suggesting mental techniques could aid healing
Some time ago, mental influence on the body was a merely observed fact, but it was only circumstantial evidence, physiological foundations were largely missing. However, both placebo effect and psychosomatics suggest that the psyche can play a decisive role in illness and healing. In the meantime, there seems to be evidence to support this thesis.
Cancer Neuroscience is the name of the new field on which neuroscientists and cancer researchers have recently been exchanging ideas. There is growing evidence that the nervous system, both inside and outside the brain, has a decisive influence on the development, progression and resistance to therapy of tumors.
While research is still in its infancy, research suggests that there is a close connection between nerves and cancer cells. In mouse models, the brain tumor grew after receiving signals from nerve cells [1]. The crazy thing is that cancer cells apparently make their own connections to nerve cells through so-called perisynapses and tap into them [2]. Neurons respond to stimuli they receive from tumor cells. As a central and peripheral system, our nervous system reaches almost every corner of the body and is responsible for the development, repair and regeneration of tissue.
If we look at the organism in terms of information theory, the brain is the area with the highest information density, and thus with the highest probability of reaction. As a result, it develops causal force and is thus the place of will and volition. Body and mind differ only in the degree of information density, both are components of one and the same organism.
In other words, when we perform a conscious or unconscious action, it always arises at the place of the highest density of information and is signaled throughout the body by the complex nervous system [3].
Apparently, the signaling pathway differs depending on the disease, as does the type of transmitters and hormones. As a stress hormone, adrenaline seems to accelerate tumor growth. The detailed correlations that exist here are currently the subject of research.
Diseases do not only seem to be genetically determined, but also arise epigenetically through the transmission of stimuli from the brain to the body by means of transmitters and with the participation of the endocrine system. The path thus leads from the highest level of regulation ‘down’ to the cell.
Which pathway which epigenetic influence takes in the body has not yet been researched.
The question is, is there also a healing way? As we know from placebo research, there seems to be. Two questions arise here: first, are there tipping points that can no longer be reversed, and second, does a positive mental influence reach down to the cell.
Once tumor cells have joined together to form a network, surgery seems to be the last resort. However, the targeted individual use of specific hormones or the targeted inhibition of nerve growth generated by tumor cells also seems possible.
However, mental techniques should also be investigated with regard to their effect in connection with a wide variety of diseases. In this way, the placebo effect could be professionalized. In many areas, it already points to its great therapeutic importance. But the problem also seems to be that mental techniques tend to be broadband. However, there are also counterexamples here: placebo therapy for Parkinson’s disease [4] or migraine [5] greatly limits the spread.
The question arises here: how is it possible to focus on mental techniques, and which processes play a role here?
Studies show how, for example, muscle growth could be generated by mental techniques [6].
Let’s say we want to move our foot. A corresponding signal is sufficient to set the motor skills in motion. But apparently it is not just an electrical ‘neutral’ signal, but it is modulated by transmitters and hormones. In this example, modulation shouldn’t have too much of an impact. However, when it comes to meditative techniques, for example, the mental execution is associated with certain expectations and beliefs.
Here, the modulatory effect is likely to be greater. It is therefore possible that it is precisely this electrochemical combination that, as we see in cancer, that is crucial for a somatic focus in mental techniques that have a concrete effect.
Research on this topic is still in its infancy, but there is early evidence that mental techniques can have a positive impact on the course of cancer. Studies have shown that meditation and relaxation techniques can reduce stress levels, improve mood and strengthen the immune system [7].
The extension of such investigations to the microphysiological processes in the application of mental techniques would shed light on the extent to which the psyche causes illness and healing, not merely statistically, but directly.
One method that would be worth exploring is, for example, the Prana method, whose technique refers to the focus of the most diverse areas of the body and supports this with catchy narratives [8].
The spiritual content can be neglected.
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[1] Venkataramani, V. et al, Glutamatergic synaptic input to glioma cells drives brain tumour progression, Nature. 2019 Sep; 573(7775):532–538, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31534219/
[2] Zeng, Q. et al, Synaptic proximity enables NMDAR signalling to promote brain metastasis, Nature. 2019 Sep; 573(7775):526–531, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31534217/
[3] Stegemann, W., Placebo Effect — How the Head Heals the Body, https://medium.com/educreation/placebo-effect-how-the-head-heals-the-body-9095ad2e5d51
[4] LeWitt, P.A., et al., The pharmacodynamics of placebo Expectation effects of price as a proxy for efficac, Neurology , February 24, 2015 issue 84 (8) 766–767
[5] Amanzio, M. et al., A systematic review of adverse events in placebo groups of anti-migraine clinical trials, Pain. 2009 Dec; 146(3):261–269. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2009.07.010. Epub 2009 Sep 24, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19781854/
[6] Shackell, E.M., et al, Mind Over Matter: Mental Training Increases Physical Strength, 2007 North American Journal of Psychology 9(1), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241603526_Mind_Over_Matter_Mental_Training_Increases_Physical_Strength
[7] Grossman, P., et al. (2010). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 68(6), 539–545.
[8] Choa Kok Sui, Pranic Healing, 1990.
