Physical imbalances of the CFS/ME/SEID and the limbic system’s role in survival mode are closely connected. For effective healing, it’s crucial to address both aspects.
Most medical protocols or therapies concentrate on relieving symptoms, often relying on medications and nutritional supplements. Even when it comes to holistic measures that affect all the body systems, still hardly ever is the role of the limbic system adequately addressed.
By “reassuring” the central nervous system that it can turn off survival mode, we can disrupt the ongoing mechanisms that lead to persistent health issues such as chronic pain and other chronic conditions. To heal from conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME/SEID), it’s important to engage with the limbic system in a way that resonates with it.
Part Two: Principles of Limbic System Retraining – How it works
- Neuroplasticity: The central concept behind limbic retraining is neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This process allows individuals to overwrite maladaptive responses and create healthier patterns of thought and behavior.
- Desensitization: Limbic retraining exercises aim to systematically desensitize the limbic system to triggering stimuli. Gradually reducing sensitivity to triggering stimuli that activate the limbic system, thereby decreasing the frequency and intensity of stress responses.
- Emotional Regulation: Rewriting Mental Scripts: Utilizing techniques like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to challenge and replace maladaptive thought patterns and traumatic memories that contribute to ongoing distress[Techniques such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) help individuals reframe negative thought patterns and emotional responses. This shift allows for a more balanced emotional state, reducing anxiety and improving overall mood.
- Restoration of Homeostasis: Shift from Sympathetic to Parasympathetic Mode: Transitioning from the sympathetic (stress) mode to the parasympathetic (relaxation) mode to promote better overall health and well-being[1 The goal of retraining is to restore balance within the nervous system. By calming the limbic system, patients can transition from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state, promoting healing and recovery.
- Promoting Positive Brain Chemistry: Encouraging dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins production while minimizing cortisone, adrenaline, norepinephrine dominance. This shift enhances feelings of pleasure, relaxation, and reduced anxiety.
Benefits for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – What can you expect
Limbic system retraining offers several specific benefits for those suffering from CFS/ME/SEID:
– Reduction in Chronic Stress Response: By calming an overactive limbic system, patients experience lower levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, which can alleviate fatigue and improve energy levels.
– Improved Mood and Well-being: Enhanced production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin leads to improved mood and a greater sense of well-being, countering the depressive symptoms often associated with CFS.
– Enhanced Recovery: As the body shifts into a more relaxed state, it becomes better equipped to heal from underlying conditions contributing to chronic fatigue. This includes improved immune function and reduced inflammation.
– Increased Resilience: Retraining helps individuals develop resilience against stressors, making them less reactive to triggers that previously led to symptom exacerbation.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Limbic System Retraining
While the objectives of limbic system retraining are promising, evaluating its true effectiveness is critical. Both anecdotal evidence and scientific studies provide insight into how these programs stand up to scrutiny.
Research and Studies on CFS and Long COVID Patients
Research into the efficacy of limbic system retraining for CFS and long COVID is still emerging, yet it’s already showing promise. Studies often focus on whether these programs can make significant inroads into improving patients’ quality of life. Here’s a quick rundown of some recognized research insights:
– Clinical Trials: A number of clinical trials are delving into the potential benefits of these programs. Some studies suggest that limbic system retraining can lead to measurable improvements in fatigue, emotional well-being, and overall daily functioning.
– Neuroscientific Insights: Neuroscience research has highlighted the plasticity of the brain in response to training. This means that deliberate retraining can indeed foster meaningful change in brain structure and function for CFS and long COVID patients.
– Patient Feedback: Self-reported surveys from those who have undergone retraining highlight changes in their symptomatology, regularly reporting gains in energy, cognitive clarity, and emotional resilience.
By merging initial observational studies with emerging quantitative research, the potential for limbic system retraining comes into focus as a feasible complementary therapy for CFS and long COVID.
Research Papers and Articles
Here is a list of papers, articles, and case studies related to brain retraining, limbic retraining, and their applications for chronic fatigue syndrome and long COVID treatment:
Brain retraining programs like the Amygdala and Insula Retraining (AIR) intervention have made waves in the treatment scene, especially for those grappling with long COVID and CFS. AIR uses neuroplasticity techniques to modify and enhance brain pathways, notably leading to significant reductions in fatigue. In the study, participants reported a decrease in fatigue scores by 70% for CFS and over 80% for long COVID after incorporating AIR techniques into their routine (Toussaint & Bratty, 2023).
This systematic review examined various mind-body interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches, for treating ME/CFS. It concluded that these interventions can lead to improvements in fatigue severity, anxiety, and quality of life, although the studies often had small sample sizes and high risk of bias.
A study published in 2017 investigated the effects of cognitive remediation training on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. It found that such training led to improvements in both self-reported and objectively measured neurocognitive symptoms, suggesting a positive impact of cognitive interventions over time.
This study aims to assess the potential benefits of MAIR in reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and enhancing cognitive functioning in women with fibromyalgia.
5. Chronic Fatigue Syndromes: Real Illnesses that People Can Recover From
This article from the Oslo Chronic Fatigue Consortium challenges the notion that chronic fatigue syndromes are incurable, suggesting that symptoms may reflect the brain’s response to various factors and that recovery is possible with appropriate support and understanding. It encourages a more proactive approach to treatment rather than prolonged rest and isolation.
Challenges and Limitations of Current Programs
Like any emerging therapeutic approach, limbic system retraining is not without its challenges and limitations. Some of these include:
– Limited Scientific Validation: Although promising, larger and more in-depth studies are required to solidify its legitimacy as a mainstream treatment option and fully understand its mechanisms.
– Individual Variability: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, meaning results can differ significantly from person to person based on their unique brain patterns and life experiences.
– Resource Accessibility: High-quality programs and access to trained professionals may not be readily available or affordable for all who wish to explore this therapeutic avenue.
– Sustained Commitment Required: The long-term nature of retraining requires dedication and regular practice, which can be demanding, especially for those already experiencing chronic fatigue.
Despite these hurdles, as momentum grows within the scientific community and patient advocacy groups, limbic system retraining continues to be refined and adapted, promising us a future where it could become an invaluable tool in managing chronic health conditions like CFS/ME/SEID.
By “reassuring” the central nervous system that it can turn off survival mode, we can disrupt the ongoing mechanisms that perpetuate chronic conditions like CFS/ME/SEID.
→ NEXT Limbic System Retraining: A New Hope for CFS Sufferers ? Part Three: Effective Use In Practice
References:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-neuroplasticity-overcoming-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-jo-thomas
https://boulderholistic.com/limbic-retraining-for-chronic-illness/
https://livingwithmecfs.co.uk/2023/09/14/brain-retraining/
https://me-pedia.org/wiki/Brain_retraining
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10886399/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34202826/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28830024/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33050630/
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Information on this blog is intended solely for informational purposes and may not be used as a substitute for professional advice and/or information.
