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Parasympathetic Nervous System (Psns) Study Essay
Running Head: Final Project
Final Project
Final Project
Sandy Pennington
Southern New Hampshire University
Final Project
Introduction
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) is a “member” of the autonomic nervous system, which also comprise the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and the Sympathetic Nervous System (ENS). Occasionally referred to as the rest and digest system, PSNS is critical in conserving energy because it slows down the heart rate, upsurges intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. Given the importance of this system, understanding its components and mechanism is key to psychologists, biologists, and other related specialists. There is plenty of work about it already. Nonetheless, there are still a couple of gaps of knowledge about several of its elements, contrivances, processes. The current study seeks to bridge some of these gaps covered in the research questions sections below.
Research Questions
What happens during lover’s touch, cuddling and massage in the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
Is there any relationship between the acts of touching, hugging, cuddling, and massage and good health?
What is positive about the parasympathetic nervous system being activated?
Literature Review
The Parasympathetic Nervous System and the lover’s touch and its associated mechanisms are not new concepts in research. Numerous scholars, theorists, and researcher have already contemplated about them but particularly separately. Pichon and Chapelot (2010) explored the homeostatic significance of the parasympathetic nervous system in the behavior of people. The researchers theorized and confirmed that the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) reflects organisms’ capacities to assimilate metabolic and behavioral demands, thereby improving its homeostasis adeptness. Lover’s touch, touch through cuddling, and touch through massage all trigger some human behavior. In this study, the work of Pichon and Chapelot (2010) will be helpful in establishing how PSNS facilitates the integration of human behaviors associated with the touches.
Hurley (2018), on the other hand examined the activation mechanism of the Parasympathetic Nervous System. According to the author, the PSNS decreases anxiety and stress. Hurley (2018) also explored how the mechanism mitigates and controls these mental defects and also discussed some of the ways of activating PSNS, which include by touching the lips gently, being mindful (avoiding multitasking), and by using visualization. In this research, this work will help to establish knowledge on happens when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated.
Elsewhere, Penn Medicine (2018) had a look at the health effect of cuddling, snuggling, holding hands, touching, kissing, and hugging and established that they produce more than just magical moments as they can essentially enhance overall health. The report found that science shows that these touches help people to lose weight, lower blood pressure, and fight off sickness just to mention a few. Another study Zur and Nordmarken (2018) also established a link between these touching activities and good health. Zur and Nordmarken (2018) concluded that touch is a piece of the most indispensable elements of human development, a thoughtful mechanism of communication, and a critical cog of the health, growth and development of newborns, and a powerful healing force. In the present study, these resources will be essential in constructing the knowledge of how the acts of touching; hugging, cuddling, and massage promote good health.
Lover’s Touch
When a lover’s touch occurs, the reproductive organs receive parasympathetic innervation from the spinal cord. The sacral parasympathetic pathway then sends these signals to the target organs via the pelvic nerve. This leads to the activation of the postganglionic neurons in the target parasympathetic ganglia, which subsequently leads to the dilation of penile and clitoral arteries. The corresponding smooth muscles of the cavernous sinusoid relax which lead to expansion of sinusoidal spaces (Purves, Augustine, Fitzpatrick, et al., 2001). As a result of this, blood in the aforementioned tissue is increased which in-turn leads to a drastic rise in pressure and expansion of the cavernous spaces thus achieving arousal. The parasympathetic nervous system also raises the heart rate and excites the brain.
Touch through cuddling
During cuddling, the physical touch works to activate pressure receptors within the body. Immediately, signals are sent to the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is an important element in the parasympathetic nervous system (Zur & Nordmarken, 2018). It acts as a safety valve when the body or brain is suddenly overexcited or put under heightened stress. When cuddling, the vagus nerve relaxes and the feeling is carried all along the body according to Penn Medicine (2018). Because of the nerve relaxing, blood pressure drops and one feels calm and secure.
Touch through massage
Many a times, stressful situations affect individuals. During the stressful period, stress hormones are released resulting in physiological changes such as increased heart rate, quickening in breathing, muscle tension and sweating. Knowing how to use the parasympathetic nervous system to control anxiety and stress promotes long lasting sobriety by reducing the urge to turn to addictive substances (Diego & Field, 2009). When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, changes in the body occur rapidly. Once the parasympathetic nervous system is activated to decrease activity, calmness and relaxation is achieved. Through massage, the parasympathetic nervous system works to reduce the body’s blood pressure and the heart rate. Massage stimulates the sensory and proprioceptive nerve fibers of the skin and underlying tissues (Diego & Field, 2009). Through the PNS, the stimulus is dispersed to the target body part. This achieves a soothing effect that enhances relaxation. Massage often causes the skin and muscles to dilate through receptor stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
What happens when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated?
As one progresses in recovery, worry and anxiety tend to creep in. issues like deadlines and family concerns occasionally induce stress. When the stress hormone is released physiological changes occur. Lanese (2019) avers that these responses are called fight or flight responses. The responses occur when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Stress contributes to high blood pressure and anxiety. The parasympathetic nervous system works to relax and slow down the body’s response (Hurley, 2018). It counter-acts the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. The activation of the sympathetic nervous system causes rapid changes to the body. The brain continually releases corticotrophin and adrenocorticotropic hormones that keep the body on high alert until it perceived that the danger is over (Lanese, 2019). When the threat is deemed over, the hormone levels decline and the parasympathetic system works to inhibit the stress response by slowing down high energy activities within the body as writes Hurley (2018). When the parasympathetic system is activated, it enhances relaxation to the mind and body.
What benefits do we get?
There are several benefits that can be derived from parasympathetic nervous system when activated. They include improving self-esteem and reducing stress and anxiety. Improving self-esteem occurs when the hormones are released and they calm the body, therefore, the body is able to sense security and safety (Zur & Nordmarken, (2018). Studies have been able to show that lovers who often cuddle and hug each other tend to have high self-esteem (Penn Medicine, 2018). Reduced stress and anxiety, on the other hand occur when one is hugged or cuddle to feel better. The brain will naturally produce dopamine, which relaxes the body. Naturally, the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system leads to the secretion of Dopamine and Oxytocin, which reduces cortisol’s levels that are accountable for stress and anxiety.
Above all, the parasympathetic nervous system’s activation contributes positively to health. The mechanism triggers the secretion of vital hormones, which improve people’s mental and physical states. A good example of health benefit would include better heart health and increased immunity (Penn Medicine, 2018). Studies have found that people with ineffective parasympathetic nervous system struggle to cope in certain stressful situations. Additionally, they tend to have problems with their self-esteem. The mechanism is also a natural therapy for high blood pressure and mood disorders (Pichon and Chapelot, 2010). Therefore, activities such as cuddling, massages, and touching of are crucial for human health.
Research Questions
The parasympathetic nervous system has been observed to have a long-term effect on the health of individuals. Given the stupendous structure of the human nervous system, it is necessary to understand how the parasympathetic nervous system affects health and what roles it plays in neuroscience and psychobiology. The primary research questions for this study to help in comprehending the essential roles of the system include;
How does the parasympathetic nervous system get activated?
What happens when the parasympathetic nervous system gets activated?
What are the health benefits of activation of the parasympathetic nervous system?
How does the parasympathetic nervous system affect human psychology?
Parasympathetic nervous system and the field of Psychology
The nervous system has immense impacts on human behavior since it influences the ability to express emotions, learn, and utilize energy under different situations. A closer breakdown of the systemic parts of the nervous system reveals that its two major subdivisions are the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system contains another two subdivisions that are seen to actively control the voluntary and involuntary actions of the human body.
The somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system are considered the main divisions that influence human psychology. The somatic nervous system is involved in control of voluntary actions that are processed through motor neurons and sensory neurons. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions that prepare the body for stress-related activities (Thayer, 2017). It is within the autonomic nervous system that the parasympathetic nervous system is classified as a division, which controls use of metabolic energy during relaxation.
The parasympathetic nervous system is referred to as the rest and digests system because it serves to increase intestinal and gland activity, while slowing down the heart rate to induce calmness. As human beings grow older, the parasympathetic nervous system undergoes maturation by learning to induce the correct behavior in varying environments. In order to perform correct behavior, the parasympathetic nervous system develops innate desires that are regulated by hormonal secretion and gland relaxation. Therefore, the thought-processes of a person are regulated by these shifts in the parasympathetic nervous system to act accordingly in a given surrounding.
A proper understanding of the parasympathetic nervous system should have medical implications on the field of psychology by modulating several levels of psychobiological foundation. Human beings can benefit from medical interventions that invoke a parasympathetic nervous system response to lower levels of blood pressure and mental stress. Drawing evidence from previous researches on ways to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the approach can be applied to resolve metabolic complications facing individuals. Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system will largely be used to ensure the human body functions under relaxed conditions.
Synthesis with previous scholarly research
The autonomic nervous system applies heart rate variability to shift between sympathetic and parasympathetic activation. According to Hatch et al., (2019), the autonomic nervous system regulates cardiovascular homeostasis and can be used to change electrochemical conduction as well as vascular tone. It is critical for the heart rate variability to be greatly regulated so that individuals remain responsive to physiological changes in the best way that facilitates normal functioning (Thayer, 2017). As one engages in activities that lead to activation of parasympathetic nervous system, they enhance their heart rate variability to avoid health altercations such as major depressive disorder and cardiovascular disorders.
The parasympathetic nervous system has a cranial division that supplies nerves to the lacrimal glands, salivary glands, sexual organs, urinary bladder, upper and lower gastrointestinal tract (Mathias & Bannister, 2013). All these areas are modified by parasympathetic activation that shifts their hyper-reaction to physiological changes back to the body’s normal functioning. The nervous system requires the parasympathetic activation to diminish the power of psychological defenses and neutralize hyperactivity caused by fear and traumatic events. In this way, parasympathetic activation can be used to induce normal behavior in times when human actions are dominated by fear-based emotional reactivity.
As one progresses in recovery, worry and anxiety tend to creep in. The environment, such as deadlines, family issues, may at times induce stress. When the stress hormone is released physiological changes occur. These responses are better known as fight or flight responses. We will look into this response when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. The response is meant to be a survival tactic that allows mammals to react fast to a situation that was threatening.
Unfortunately, the same response to non-life threatening stressors that trigger high anxiety levels receive the same fight or flight responses from the human body. Stress contributes to high blood pressure and anxiety. The parasympathetic nervous system works to relax and slow down the body’s response. It counter-acts the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system once activated has rapid changes to the body. The brain continually releases corticotropin and adrenocorticotropic hormones that keep the body on high alert until it perceived that the danger is over (Colonnello & Heinrichs, 2016).
When the threat is deemed over, the hormone levels decline and the parasympathetic system works to inhibit the stress response by slowing down high energy activities within the body. When the parasympathetic system is activated, it enhances relaxation to the mind and body. Activation of the parasympathetic system can be learnt. When achieved, individuals’ moods are lifted, the immune system is strengthened and blood pressure lowers to a normal rate. Some of the techniques that can be used can be; getting a massage, spending time in nature, meditation, exercise, hobbies, among numerous others.
The parasympathetic activation can help individuals to treat neurological and psychiatric diseases. Neurological and psychiatric conditions are extremely costly to treat due to the burdensome nature of the medical conditions (Hatch et al., 2019). Furthermore, individuals face non-life threatening impulses in their daily routines that receive potentially confounding responses. According to pharmacological treatments of the neurological and psychiatric medical conditions associated with the nervous system there are several side-effects that necessitate the alternative treatment offered by parasympathetic activation.
Pharmaceutical treatment of autonomic nervous system anomalies has been observed to cause inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and hypothalamic pituitary-adrenaline dysfunction. It is high time that neuroscientists and psychiatrists acknowledge the role of moderate parasympathetic activation. Diego & Field (2009) state that moderate to light pressure on an individual during a massage provides far reaching benefits to an individual that may be suffering from stress-related disorders. The increased release of stress hormones due to the hyper-activation of the sympathetic nervous system can be regulated by parasympathetic activation which is achieved through activities that lower the heart rate variability to induce a state of calm.
Further evidence points to the close relationship between the autonomic nervous system and obesity, which has become an increasing global concern. Parasympathetic activation is involved in regulation of metabolic energy and cardiovascular variability to eliminate hypertension. Scientific evidence shows that excess weight among obese people inhibits ANS regulation that results in metabolic alterations that are also visible in patients with cardiovascular disorders (Guarino et al, 2017). Given the need for regulation of sympathetic nervous system, vagal nerve modulation achieved through deep to moderate massages, can be viewed as therapeutic targets for improving cardiovascular variability.
Sympathetic activation is a necessary process for human survival that should operate along with parasympathetic activation. Health concerns arise when hyper-activity of the sympathetic nervous system lead to the overproduction of stress hormones that have the potential to generate symptoms of depression and cardiovascular dysfunction. It becomes extremely important to understand ways of inducing parasympathetic activation as a reverse mechanism of hypertension (Colonnello & Heinrichs, 2016). Neurological and psychiatric conditions affected by the autonomic nervous system’s regulation can be modulated through parasympathetic activation. The potential of using parasympathetic activation as an alternative treatment approach is so great that it has substantial implications for people suffering from obesity.
It is crucial for people to understand the brain’s subdivisions that are involved in self-regulation and control of normal routines. In recent years, neuroscientists have begun to appreciate the awareness of neurotransmitter influence on body functions. The parasympathetic nervous system provides one of the essential subdivisions of the brain that has promising yields in psychiatric and neuroscience treatments. In conclusion, the parasympathetic nervous system has long-term health effects because its activation triggers the release of important hormones.
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) is a “member” of the autonomic nervous system, which also comprises the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and the Sympathetic Nervous System (ENS). Occasionally referred to as the rest and digest system, PSNS is critical in conserving energy because it slows down the heart rate, upsurges intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. Above all, recent evidence establishes a strong bond between PSNS and behavior; hence, psychology. Given the importance of this system, specialists have safely argued that its activation is healthy and positive for humans. In this connection, this study seeks to assess the implication of touch on the Parasympathetic Nervous System from a biological point of view and establish how the system is a subject in the field of psychology.
Problem Statement
Understanding the components and mechanism of the Parasympathetic Nervous System is key to psychologists, biologists, and other related specialists. There is plenty of work about it already. Nonetheless, there are still a couple of gaps of knowledge about several of its elements, contrivances, and processes. The effect of a lover’s touch, cuddling, and massage are mainly loosely addressed subjects. The majority of the existing studies, while they investigate the link between touch and PSNS, for example, they do not specify whether the two are associated along positive or negative lines. Others are broad and complex; hence, throwing the confidentiality and reliability of their findings into big questions. Thus, there is a necessity for specific and straightforward information regarding the effect of a lover’s touch, cuddling, and massage on PSNS. The current study seeks to bridge some of these gaps. The primary purpose of this research study is to determine and display the effect of activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
Research Questions
What happens during lover’s touch, cuddling and massage in the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
Is there any relationship between the acts of touching, hugging, cuddling, and massage and good health?
What is positive about the parasympathetic nervous system being activated?
Objectives
The study anticipates achieving the following:
To provide a comprehensive review of all processes and outcomes that take place in the Parasympathetic Nervous System during lover’s touch, cuddling, and massage.
To establish the relationship between the acts of touching, hugging, cuddling, and massage, and good health
To assess and document the importance of activating the parasympathetic nervous system being
Literature Review
The Parasympathetic Nervous System and the lover’s touch and its associated mechanisms are not new concepts in research. Numerous scholars, theorists, and researcher have already contemplated about them but mainly separately. Pichon and Chapelot (2010) explored the homeostatic significance of the parasympathetic nervous system in the behavior of people. The researchers theorized and confirmed that the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) reflects organisms’ capacities to assimilate metabolic and behavioral demands, thereby improving its homeostasis adeptness. Lover’s touch, touch through cuddling and touch through massage all trigger some human behavior. In this study, the work of Pichon and Chapelot (2010) will help in establishing how PSNS facilitates the integration of human behaviors associated with the touches.
Hurley (2018), on the other hand, examined the activation mechanism of the Parasympathetic Nervous System. According to the author, the PSNS decreases anxiety and stress. Hurley (2018) also explored howthe mechanism mitigates and controls these mental defects and also discussed some of the ways of activating PSNS, which include by touching the lips gently, being mindful (avoiding multitasking), and by using visualization. In this research, this work will help to establish knowledge on happens when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated.
Elsewhere, Penn Medicine (2018) had a look at the health effect of cuddling, snuggling, holding hands, touching, kissing, and hugging and established that they produce more than just magical moments as they can substantially enhance overall health. The report found that science shows that these touches help people to lose weight, lower blood pressure, and fight off sickness, only to mention a few. Another study, Zur and Nordmarken (2018) also established a link between these touching activities and good health. Zur and Nordmarken (2018) concluded that touch is a piece of the most indispensable elements of human development, a thoughtful mechanism of communication, and a critical cog of the health, growth, and development of newborns, and a powerful healing force. In the present study, these resources will be essential in constructing the knowledge of how the acts of touching; hugging, cuddling, and massage promote good health.
Methodology
Experimental research method and participant observation methods will be the primary study designs of this research. Experimental research design is a quantitative method of data collection, while participant observation is a qualitative methodology. Thus, the study will employ both the qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection. The experimental design is appropriate for this study because of the level of accuracy, confidentiality, and reliability involved. Diego and Field (2009) argue that the design is essential in ensuring that the right type of data and a sufficient sample size and power are available to answer the research questions of interest as clearly and efficiently as possible. The design’s past applications also supports its choice for such studies. According to Bordens and Abbott (2018), the model has been previously applied to analyze primary dependent variables that influence the autonomic nervous system to a success. The variables to be measured using the experimental study design include; heart rate variability, sympathetic skin response, and levels of serum cortisol, as well as norepinephrine. Study-participants, including the researcher, will undergo relaxation activities during the experiment as observation and self-reports are used as the primary data collection techniques. Contrarily, the participant observation design is chosen for the sake of the quality of the qualitative data to be collected. According to Morse (2030), participant observation facilitates a better understanding of subjects by researchers because the researchers are also participants. Thus, the participant observation method is applicable because it will provide the researchers with a first-hand experience of the relaxation effect associated with parasympathetic activation (Diego & Field, 2009). In this connection, the method will offer real-time information that is factual and free from errors or skewed by environmental influencers.
However, the study will be heavily dependent on the experimental study design. Its role in the research will be to facilitate the collection of data that displays the physical responses of stressed participants when passed through relaxing activities. The relaxing activities selected for this study are the use of massage and heat therapy applied over a controlled period, such as five days a week for two weeks. The baseline serum cortisol and plasma norepinephrine will be monitored over the time of the experimental study design (Lee et al., 2011). The fluctuations in the levels of these primary variables associated with activation of the parasympathetic nervous system are collected for analysis using self-reports and health monitors. Another substantiation of the experimental study design for this study is that the tests and procedures are carried out over a long period requiring longitudinal observation. The environment for carrying out this study will have to be controlled to obtain error-free results. The experimental study design is reliable because the researcher can observe any additional variables that may influence the research. Additionally, primary data is collected through the use of these data collection tools.
Both informed consent and the Institution Review Board will be the study’s primary participant selection criteria. Because the project involves human subjects, it will be sent for a review by IRB, after informed consent will be used to recruit the required number of participants. After IRB’s approval of the study, all details of the experiment will be unveiled to prospective participants, including all the risks involved where the volunteers will be considered (Morse, 2030). In this sense, quota sampling will be used for population selection. The researchers will look for volunteers to raise a given quota of the categories of the participants required. For example, they will require ten men and ten women who should include five adults and five children.
For data analysis, the study will go with Excel and SPSS for analyzing quantitative data because of its familiarity. First, all the collected data will be recorded in an Excel sheet using the right tabular form. The data will then be imported into the SPSS software, where it will be assigned specific commands. The results will then be retrieved in the form of graphs and charts, which will be analyzed to postulate conclusions based on the analysis. Qualitative analysis will be used for the qualitative data (Mitchell, Jolley, & Alumni and Friends Memorial Book Fund, 2013). The primary rationale is that participant observation deals with small and focused samples as opposed to large samples that quantitative analysis uses, which is appropriate for qualitative analysis. Using this method, data will be classified into patterns where it will be analyzed to conclude results. The dissemination methods of the results of the study to the relevant stakeholders, users, and interested parties will include sharing them on social media and organizations’ websites. Publishing the results in newspapers and magazines is also a viable option considering the limited resources at the disposal of the project.
Understanding the components and mechanism of the Parasympathetic Nervous System is key to psychologists, biologists, and other related specialists. Most so, how and what activates this system and the effects of this activation requires proper understanding, this is where this study comes in. Touch is one of the factors that activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System. The proposed study seeks to explore how different touches (lover’s touch, cuddling, and massage) activate the PSNS. Through this, the research would be able to establish the relationship between the touches, the touches and the PSNS, and the importance of activating the system.
The study is important because there is a currently a gap of knowledge regarding in this field. There is plenty of work about it already. Nonetheless, there are still a missing link of information regarding several of its elements, contrivances, and processes. The effect of a lover’s touch, cuddling, and massage are mainly loosely addressed subjects. The majority of the existing studies, while they investigate the link between touch and the PSNS, for example, they do not specify whether the two are associated along positive or negative lines. Others are broad and complex; hence, throwing the confidentiality and reliability of their findings into big questions. Thus, there is a necessity for specific and straightforward information regarding the effect of a lover’s touch, cuddling, and massage on PSNS. The current study would bridge some of these gaps. The study would primarily determine and display the effect of activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
The findings of the study would realize positive implications regarding the PSNS. First, it would facilitate a full understanding of how lover’s touch, hugging, cuddling, and massage activates the PSNS. Then there would come the derivation of knowledge, both primary and secondary regarding the effect of this activation. In this way, the study would facilitate the clarification of the link between the PSNS and psychology. All the touches to be investigated and behavioral. On the other hand, psychology is one of the modern fields that studies behavior. The specific branch is called behavioral psychology. Thus, lover’s touch, hugging, massage, and cuddling are subjects of study under behavioral psychology. As such, by investigating their link with the PSNS, the outcome of the study would as well aid in the recognition, understanding, and appreciation of the association between the PSNS and the field of behavioral psychology. Practically, the study will facilitate this field by deriving knowledge regarding some of the factors that activates the PSNS. There will also be knowledge regarding the importance of the activation of the PSNS. One of the implication of the study to the target audience is that I would make them increase the activation of the PSNS or reduce it by engaging in cuddling, hugging, and massage if need be or avoiding them. The decision to increase or reduce would depend on the outcome of the study. That is, if the study will find out that the activation of the PSNS is beneficial or not. Given all this weight, clearly, this study is important and hence worth undertaking.
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