The SHN #43: Existence, Adult Children, and Acupuncture

Welcome back to The Synergetic Health Newsletter! 

In this edition, we’ll explore the initial steps of self-inquiry.

After that, a look into the Adult Child Syndrome.

Then comes another look into Dr. Ray Peat’s dietary viewpoints, acupuncture, mood, altitude, massages, and more!

Joe Burt

🎭 Your Existence and Identity

Have you ever initiated the philosophical process of questioning your own existence and identity?

“The awakening of man begins when his mind is driven to question its own nature and existence."

Do you believe that what you are is merely the sum of your inner dialogue, opinions, beliefs, and social roles?

If you take the first inquiring step, you can clearly see that there is some observer aware of this inner dialogue taking place, or aware that you are modulating your behavior based on the specific social situation you are in.

From this realization, all experience can be looked at in a new light. This is the first step in a process of understanding who you are.

Opening the door to the inner world, the home of the Self. Stepping through the door and overcoming the plethora of obstacles within is a story for another day, but beginning the process requires a simple but courageous first step.

Are you willing to examine your life in this way? Are you open to discovering an entirely new way to approach the world and its objects? Are you willing to let the buried version of yourself come to the surface?

Think about taking that first step. Question your assumptions, observe your thoughts and actions, and be willing to explore the depths of your being. The rewards are immeasurable, and the discovery of your true Self awaits.

"When Selfhood is not present, or able to open and widen itself, we suffer anxiety."

👶 Adult Child Syndrome

When you spend enough time learning about holistic health, the relationship between our childhood experiences and adult realities becomes obvious.

Rudolf Steiner’s insight that "the infant and young child is so delicately sensitive to the surrounding environment that the sense impressions work right into the very physiology of its being" underscores the profound impact of early life events.

Acknowledging the relevance of events from decades past may seem challenging, yet it's imperative for our growth.

To those familiar with psychotherapy and introspective practices, the persistence of unresolved childhood traumas shaping adult behavior isn’t surprising. However, many remain unaware of the significant role these traumas play in our lives, leading to what is often termed Adult Child Syndrome.

Adult Child Syndrome is not a clinical diagnosis but rather a term used to describe the lingering effects of childhood trauma or dysfunctional family dynamics that persist into adulthood. It encompasses a range of behaviors and emotional responses that reflect unresolved issues from childhood.

Imagine a scenario where an adult reacts impulsively to stress, seeks constant approval, or struggles with setting healthy boundaries. These are common manifestations of Adult Child Syndrome, rooted in childhood experiences where emotional needs were unmet or where unhealthy coping mechanisms were learned.

Others include fear of rejection, avoidance of conflict, dependency on others, avoidance of responsibility, perfectionism, and emotional outbursts.

Childhood trauma, whether it's physical, emotional, or psychological, can imprint deeply on our psyche, shaping our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us. For many, the wounds of childhood remain unhealed, surfacing in relationships, career choices, and personal growth.

While labeling this phenomenon may seem unnecessary, recognizing it offers a new lens through which to understand human behavior and knee-jerk reactions. Integrating the adult child into maturity becomes imperative for personal growth.

I believe a holistic approach incorporating energy healing, alternative modalities, as well as traditional talk therapy proves most beneficial.

Modalities such as Biofield Tuning, the Emotion Code, EFT/Matrix Reimprinting, journaling, sound healing, Reiki, craniosacral therapy, somatic experiencing, EMDR, IFS, TRE, Gestalt therapy, Biological Decoding, psychedelic therapy, acupuncture, among others, offer promising avenues for healing.

If it isn't obvious to you yet, I am attempting to convey the message that your behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and more often stem from unconscious patterns rooted in past events. These patterns, often times subtle, exert influence on our daily lives.

For some, simply adopting an observant attitude can bring these patterns into awareness and facilitate their resolution. However, for others, these patterns persist like a relentless windstorm, playing out repeatedly and shaping our experiences in ways we may not fully comprehend

In the end, recognizing and addressing our "adult child" tendencies might just be the key to finally growing up... or at least pretending to!

👱‍♂️ The Divisive Views of Dr. Ray Peat

I often write about Dr. Peat and his bioenergetic philosophy. I can’t be sure what he’s right about and what he’s not, but it is fun exploring and experimenting with his ideas.

In this tweet thread, someone summarized a list of “controversies that set him apart from mainstream health advice.”

Here are some mentioned:
-Serotonin is a stress hormone, not a happiness hormone
-Diabetes is fully curable using sugar
-Lactose intolerance is fully curable using raw milk
-Cancer is preventable and treatable without chemo
-Obesity is not caused by overeating or excess calories
-Salt doesn’t cause heart disease
-Salads and vegetables are not health foods
-High blood pressure (without other symptoms) is healthy
-Coffee, chocolate, sugar, ice cream are “addictive” because they’re good for you

I think the main benefit for me in investigating the multitude of dietary philosophies out there is simply the knowledge that no one has all the answers. It makes little sense to tie your identity to a “diet” and also to spend so much time and energy in making the “right” choices.

But alas, please stop eating processed and fried foods 🙂 

☯ Electrical Engineering for the Body

Dr. Daniel Keown, author of “The Spark in the Machine: How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine” left Western medicine to practice acupuncture upon realizing that the current medical model is, for the most part, only beneficial in emergency situations.

He believes the current system is “bankrupt on every single level…. it’s morally bankrupt, ethically bankrupt, the entire system is effectively run for profit not for people’s health.” Keown’s stated goal is to “smash to pieces” the medical model as it now stands and that we need to use the cheap, safe, effective medicine first (energy medicine).

In this podcast interview, Keown talks about his belief that the Western medical model's failure to acknowledge chi is a significant issue. He thinks that the prevailing paradigm sees the body as just a lump of material, not acknowledging the vital role of energy (chi) in keeping the body functioning.

He emphasizes that chi is what moves the body through time and space, and not recognizing its presence leads to a lack of understanding of how the body truly works.

Dr. Keown's transition from Western medicine to acupuncture was driven by his desire to integrate the concepts of Chinese medicine into the Western scientific vernacular. He views acupuncture as a form of electrical engineering for the body, where understanding and manipulating chi flow within the body's channels lead to profound healing outcomes.

His vision for a future healthcare system that prioritizes the integration of energy medicine alongside Western medicine reflects a paradigm shift towards a more comprehensive and personalized approach to healthcare.

I cannot agree with him more. As I so often state, Western medicine is BROKEN beyond repair. Because of the insane profit motives inherent in the current system, it likely will not change any time soon. It is up to the individual to educate themselves and take their health into their own hands.

𝕏 Thread of the Week

🍖 Everyone Used to Be Thin, Here’s What They Really Ate: This well-produced video goes deep into the diets of the pre-obesity times in the 1940’s and 50’s. They note that they men ate a remarkably consistent diet that consisted of approximately 80-100g of protein, 400g of carbs, and 100-140g of fat while only weighing ~150lb’s on average. “A diet comprised of meat, eggs, potatoes, breads, milk, fruits and vegetables, fat from cream and butter, and plenty of sweets led to obesity percentages a fraction of percent of today.”

🏔️ Altitude Causes Weight Loss Without Exercise: This article discusses a study indicating that spending just a week at high altitudes can lead to sustained weight loss. Overweight individuals who spent a week at an altitude of 8,700 feet lost weight without exercise and maintained two-thirds of that weight loss a month later. Scientists observed decreased caloric intake and increased metabolic rates among the participants at high altitudes

💆🏻‍♀ Massages Are Underrated: This large research review has uncovered the plethora of benefits of massage therapy, “Moderate pressure massage has increased weight gain in preterm infants, reduced pain in different syndromes including fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, enhanced attentiveness, reduced depression and improved immune function (increased natural killer cells and natural killer cell activity).”

🎶 Humming Lowers Stress More Than Sleep: This study concluded that “humming can be an effective stress-buster based on the assessment of several HRV parameters during its practice and in comparison with other activities. A regular daily humming routine can help enhance the parasympathetic nervous system and slow down sympathetic activation.” Just 15 minutes of humming can have a plethora of health benefits, some of which I talked about in this newsletter.

📅 My Scheduling Page: Go here to book a 15-minute free call to chat.

✔️ That will do it for this time! Hopefully you got some value out of it. If you have any questions/comments/things you’d like to learn more about please don’t hesitate to reach out.

🔗 If you know anyone who loves learning about these types of topics, send them this link!

📰 To read all past newsletters, go here.