The Healing Mind: How Emotions, Energy, and Ancient Wisdom Influence Cancer and Health

Emotional health, stress, and mental well-being have a significant impact on cancer risk, survival rates, and mortality, according to TCM.

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Cancer is a multifaceted disease with various contributing factors, and psychological and emotional states are increasingly recognized as significant influences.

Examining the link between these factors and cancer development reveals how negative emotions and stress can affect the body’s natural defenses, while positive emotions and energy regulation may offer potential benefits. Stress may accumulate in one’s body and mind, causing a blockage in energy and blood flow, which slowly accumulates into some forms of cancer.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views the human body as having a “meridian“ system, which is a channel for energy movement and is responsible for transporting qi and blood throughout the body. Qi is the energy that constitutes life, and TCM refers to the substance that supplements nutrients in the body as blood. When there is an imbalance or deficiency of qi and blood in the body, diseases and other conditions may occur.

Psychiatrist and spiritual teacher Dr. David R. Hawkins wrote in his book “Power vs Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior” that human emotions are related to physical energy. Through research, he found that positive emotions such as being optimistic and tolerant, as well as having inner joy, tranquility, and peace of mind can increase the vibration frequency of particles in the body, which is beneficial to the body and mind.

On the other hand, negative emotions, such as putting too much emphasis on shame, guilt, sadness, fear, anger, suspicion, and pride, can reduce the vibration frequency of particles in the body, which is harmful to the body and mind.

Linking Psychosocial Factors and Cancer

Studies support the idea that psychosocial factors can influence cancer outcomes.

Research shows that a stress-prone personality, negative emotional reactions, adverse coping styles, and poor quality of life are associated with higher cancer incidence, lower cancer survival rates, and higher cancer mortality. Furthermore, work-related stress has been linked to a higher risk of colorectal, lung, and esophageal cancers.

Certain psychological factors may act as triggers for cancer development, including:

• Persistent feelings of resentment and anger stemming from past events
• Ongoing regret and self-blame, which can lead to depleted energy levels
• Psychological entanglement arising from the inability to resolve complex problems

The Role of the Immune System

Mood disorders can cause endocrine disorders and lead to a weakened immune system. The immune system plays a crucial role in preventing cancer by identifying and destroying cancerous cells. However, when the immune system is compromised, cancer cells may evade detection, leading to tumor growth, spread, and metastasis.

A study on animals found that increasing positive emotional states can improve immune system function. Studies in humans have also shown that feeling well is associated with reduced expression of pro-inflammatory genes, increased expression of genes involved in antibody synthesis, and Type I interferon responses, which are an early defense mechanism against infections and cancer.

Stress, Cardiovascular Health, and Endorphins

Experiencing frequent agitation, anger, or stress can negatively impact both mood and physical health. Studies have shown that daily stress buildup can raise stress hormones, tighten blood vessels, and harm the heart.

On the contrary, if you maintain a more optimistic and joyful attitude, smile often, and think positively, your brain will secrete endorphins. Endorphins are natural hormones that have pain-relieving and stress-reducing properties, contributing to an overall sense of well-being.

Traditional Hawaiian Healing

Traditional Hawaiian healing practices emphasize the importance of resolving conflicts and fostering forgiveness for overall health. In ancient Hawaii, sick patients were encouraged to examine their lives, address any outstanding debts, and reconcile with those with whom they had disagreements. Mediating conflicts peacefully, seeking forgiveness, and practicing self-forgiveness were considered essential for untying emotional knots and restoring energy flow within the body.

Ways to Regulate Negative Emotions

Positive emotions can help adjust our bodies to the pronounced effect. But how do we shift out of negative emotional states into positive ones?

When you have too much negative energy, you can try to balance it. Think of something positive and joyful, let these pictures enter your mind, and gradually tip the balance from the negative emotions, eliminating the negative energy.

Another way is to make some fake smiles even if you can hardly smile at that moment. Scientific research has found that although the human brain can distinguish between fake laughter and spontaneous laughter, the human body cannot, meaning that the physiological effects of laughter on the body are the same or very similar regardless of whether the laughter is real or fake.

Research shows that laughter therapy can improve depression and anxiety, and significantly reduce stress. Simulated laughter had a more positive impact on depression and anxiety than spontaneous laughter.

Other studies have shown that physical activity programs that induce positive emotions through simulated laughter may improve the health and physical function of older people.

Therefore, even if you are in pain, try a smile on—it makes it easier for you to get through bad situations.

The increase in positive energy not only comes from expanding one’s psychological capacity and making it brighter, but one can also try other means such as basking in the sun.

For example, turn your back facing the sun in the morning and your belly to the sun in the afternoon. By doing this, you can increase your body’s positive energy by enjoying the sun’s rays. Sun exposure also warms the body and elevates positive energy levels.