Thread by @KetoAurelius

HPA AXIS DYSFUNCTION & BREATHWORK

HPA axis dysfunction is a pervasive problem. It is linked to

- Depression
- Autoimmune conditons
- Sex hormone imbalances
- Diabetes
- IBS
- Anxiety
- Cardiovascular disease

Here's what it is and some ways to tackle it.

The HPA axis describes the connection between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal gland.

They regulate the stress response, mood, digestion, the immune system and energy.

So yes, pretty much everything.

The HPA axis functions as a feedback loop.

Stress is not inherently bad and your body needs it in acute doses.

But during HPA axis dysfunction, it NEVER shuts off.

This leads to major neurotransmitter imbalances and people who are perpetually on edge & triggered

HPA axis dysfunction also destroys your hippocampus. It shuts down BDNF and increases brain fog.

It will also rewire your brain and shift you into more of a fear based mode.

This issue is ubiquitous, and most people have some HPA axis dysfunction today

4 MAIN CAUSES OF HPA AXIS DYSFUNCTION

#1 Poor Sleep
#2 Poor Breathing patterns
#3 Too much exercise
#4 Excessive inflammation

BREATHWORK & HPA AXIS

I want to focus specifically on breath-work because it is one of the most powerful tools to manipulate your HPA axis.

Studies have shown that you can relax your brain or even increase your stress response through breath alone.

The first way to fix your dysfunction is to make sure you're breathing properly throughout the day.

This means

#1 Slow breaths
#2 Sitting up tall
#3 Breathing through the nose
#4 Deep, diaphragm breaths

PARASYMPATHETIC BREATHING

When you have hpa axis dysfunction your sympathetic -- or fight or flight -- nervous system is always activated.

This system was built for running away from a lion...not living in a world without any real threats.

But the issues above, coupled with social media and constant stimuli is pushing people into this sympathetic state at all times.

Breath is one of the main thing that controls this autonomous activity.

The way to get out is through conscious parasympathetic breathing.

PARASYMPATHETIC BREATHING

I make sure to do breathing exercises every single day -- multiples times -- to ensure I activate my parasympathetic nervous system & vagus nerve.

2 that I do are:

- Box breathing
- Static apnea tables