KUNDALINI & ADRENAL FATIGUE

The adrenal glands are located just above each kidney. They make hormones that encompass a wide spectrum of functions. The glands have two parts, The adrenal medula secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol and other hormones.

Epinephrine (Adrenaline) and norepinephrine( Hormone/ Neurotranmitter) found in the sympathetic nervous system, increase heart rate, trigger glucose release, and increases blood flow to muscles, they are are key to the fight or flight response in situations of stress and illness. They cause muscles to tense, increasing blood pressure, which in turn triggers a reflex of the heart to beat harder and faster. This constriction of blood vessels also reduces blood-flow to cognitive parts of the brain in particular the prefrontal cortex, and diverts it to parts of the brain implicated with survival faculties.

Cortisol is a natural steroid that raises your blood sugar level (so the muscles have plenty of fuel) and suppresses inflammation, but it also suppresses the immune system. It is involved in the stress response as well as regulation of the body carbohydrate metabolism. This hormone is an anti-inflammatory and is also responsible for glucose production by mobilising amino acids and free fatty acids. Too much cortisol can cause symptoms of weight gain around the waist, poor sleep, fatigue, elevated blood sugars, menstrual irregularities, increased thirst, higher blood pressure and frequent infections.

The most prevalent cause for a overactive adrenals is stress (including dietary stress). The adrenal gland was designed to deal with stress in small spurts rather than protracted stress over days or months. The adrenal hormones are catabolic, which means they foster biological processes that burn energy and break down cellular structures. If you activate the adrenal glands over and over again without sufficient recovery in between, your body becomes depleted and exhausted, and you are susceptible to a variety of illnesses due to weakened immune system. Chronic stress overworks the adrenal glands to the point of exhaustion and eventually they become too fatigued to meet the needs of the body.

Many of us have come to rely on it too heavily due to our lifestyle and its demands. It can become like a drug and make one feel alive. We also can use adrenaline to push ourselves beyond our limits. This can be useful every once in a while, but extended use can be damaging to the nervous system, kidneys and creates imbalances in the body. Some symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

• Depression
• Panick attacks
• Amplified fear for no reason
• Hormonal imbalance, weight gain
• Skin rashes, and fragility
• Severe PMS or menopause issues
• Sugar cravings
• Salt and water retention
• Lack of energy, reduced muscle and bone density
• Lethargy and procrastination
• Decreased libido
• Struggle to get out of bed even after long sleep
• Inability to get to sleep at night
• Perpetual frustration and agitation, snappy and angry for no reason
• Can’t function without your coffee or cigarettes
• Mental fogginess and confusionThe hyper-activated sympathetic nervous system that is so persistent in kundalini awakenings causes the same kind of damage to the organism as that produced by prolonged and excessive stress.

REMEDY

Self acceptance and love need to be reinforced during this phase, humour and laughter help in overcoming depression.

• Uddiyana Bandha, Surya namaskara (Sun salutations), Grounding and energising the lower chakras should be done regularly.
• Adaptogenic Herbs help in controlling cortisol levels: Ashwagandha, Gotu Kola, Brahmi, Basil, Ginseng. Along with antioxidants like turmeric, ginger, garlic and electrolytes, also increase water intake and Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex.
• Stop coffee alcohol and cigarettes as well as processed foods and sugars or other such stimulants.
• Raw vegan alkaline satvic diet.
• Try not to indulge in stressful situations, interactions as much as possible.—Shaktipat acclimation