Glossary: Integrative Medicine and Nutrition

Spiritual

Having a subjective experience of a sacred dimension. This also refers to the deepest values and meanings by which people live, often in a context separate from organized religious institutions.

Startle Response

An involuntary reflex in reaction to an unexpected stimulus such as a loud noise that occurs in PTSD.

State-Dependent Memory, Learning, and Behavior (SDMLB)

Learning that takes place in one state of consciousness and is stored in that state of consciousness, which later can be accessed only when in that same state.

Stress Hormones

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

Stress Process

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.

Stress Response

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.

Subtle Energy

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

Sympathetic Nervous System

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.

Synbiotics

Food ingredients or dietary supplements combining probiotics and prebiotics.

Synchrony

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