Glossary: Integrative Medicine and Nutrition

Hormones, such as cortisol, growth hormone, and norepinephrine, that are released by the endocrine system during periods of intense stress.

There are three major aspects of the stress process: 1) an event; 2) perception and appraisal of that event; and 3) psychological and physiological reactions to the event.

The body’s reaction to stress, which involves three phases: the fight or flight/freeze response, adaptation to the source of stress, and then exhaustion. Also called general adaptation syndrome.

The traditional subtle energies refer to qi or chi, prana, etheric energy, and homeopathic resonance, and are said to move in the “etheric body.”

The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for accelerating the heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and raising blood pressure, especially during times of stress.

Food ingredients or dietary supplements combining probiotics and prebiotics.

The matching of rhythms in the physiological or physical activities of the individuals.

Pronounced “dow,” a Chinese word meaning “way” that represents the eternal essence of the universe, a concept that gave rise to the religion of Taoism.

A compound structure at the end of a chromosome. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from becoming frayed or tangled. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres become slightly shorter, eventually preventing cell division and leading to cell death.

An energy therapy in which the hands are placed on, or close to, a patient, in order to identify and heal the imbalances in the patient’s energy field.

The sum total of the knowledge, skill, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

A somnolent state (as of deep hypnosis) often associated with the theta brain wave.

The redirection of feelings and desires and especially of those unconsciously retained from childhood toward an authority figure.

Experiences beyond the personal that incorporate transcendent and spiritual experiences. The transpersonal can intersect altered states of consciousness, anomalous cognition, and consciousness practices like meditation and prayer, as well as the use of entheogenic substances (psychedelics). 

An act or event that initiates or precipitates a reaction or series of reactions.