Glossary: Integrative Medicine and Nutrition

Sea Vegetables

Edible seaweeds that can be eaten fresh or dried. Sea vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, proteins, lipids, and amino acids. They also supply iodine, essential for healthy thyroid function. Their high mineral content makes seaweeds beneficial for nervous system function, good mental health, and muscle relaxation and function.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression that occurs during certain times of the year, especially during the winter months.

Second Brain

The enteric nervous system, an extensive network of neurons located in the lining of the alimentary canal. The second brain operates independently of the Central Nervous System and produces over 30 different neurotransmitters.

Secular

Of or relating to the physical world and not the spiritual world; not religious.

Sedative

 A nervine taken to promote sleep and relaxation. Common sedative herbs include California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica Cham.), Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.).

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

A class of compounds that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and are used to treat depression, anxiety, and some personality disorders.

Self-Regulation

Refers to any of a number of techniques used to regulate the interaction between the body and the mind. Often refers to affective self-regulation or psychophysiological self-regulation.

Sensorimotor Therapy

A method developed by Pat Ogden that integrates sensorimotor processing with cognitive and emotional processing to treat trauma.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, learning, and constriction of blood vessels. Low levels of serotonin have been connected to depression.

Set and Setting

Set refers to the personality, state, and expectations; setting refers to the environment in which the session takes place. Refers to the use of psychedelic therapy.

Shushumna

The upright staff of the caduceus (or Staff of Hermes) that represents the central channel of Hindu esoteric anatomy correlated with the spinal cord and the flow of cerebrospinal energy. Represents the energetic third principle that mediates the polarities of ida and pingala.

Somatic Empathy

A form of consciously shared psychophysioenergetic interpersonal synchrony that is cultivated and directed for the purpose of helping someone to heal.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

A form of trauma therapy developed by Peter Levine that emphasizes guiding the client's attention to interoceptive, kinesthetic, and proprioceptive experience.

Somatopsychic

The effects of the body on the mind, as opposed to psychosomatic, which refers to the mind’s effect on the body.

Soporific

A substance or drug used to induce sleep.