Calm Your Mind and Body: Dr. Berg's Stress-Reducing Elixir

Summary

This video script discusses the detrimental effects of sustained stress on various bodily systems, including the immune system, digestive system, heart, and brain. It highlights how stress leads to increased cortisol levels, which can suppress the immune system, cause digestive issues, raise blood pressure, and affect sleep. The video introduces lemon balm tea as a natural remedy to reduce cortisol and increase GABA levels, promoting tranquility and reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety. It emphasizes the simplicity, affordability, and additional health benefits of lemon balm tea, making it an effective and enjoyable way to manage stress.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Lemon balm tea is recommended for reducing stress and has multiple health benefits.
• 🍵 Drinking lemon balm tea daily can help increase tranquility and reduce anxiety.
• 🚫 Sustained stress is harmful and can lead to various health issues, including immune system suppression.
• 🛡️ High cortisol levels from stress can cause atrophy in the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.
• 🍽️ Stress negatively impacts the digestive system and can lead to conditions like ulcers and GERD.
• 💊 Stress depletes essential nutrients like vitamin B1, calcium, potassium, and hydrogen ions.
• 📈 Stress affects blood sugar levels and can contribute to diabetes by causing the body to produce excess sugar.
• 💪 Prolonged stress can lead to muscle rigidity and spasms due to the effects on muscle tone.
• 🧠 Stress can damage parts of the brain, affecting sleep and circadian rhythms.
• 🧘 Lemon balm inhibits GABA breakdown, increasing GABA levels which in turn reduces cortisol.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to provide a simple solution for reducing stress by introducing the benefits of drinking lemon balm tea.

Why is it not healthy to reduce stress to zero for a long period of time?

Reducing stress to zero for a long period is not healthy because some stress is necessary for our bodies to become stronger, similar to how exercise causes stress but leads to a stronger body.

How does stress affect the immune system?

Stress suppresses the immune system by increasing cortisol levels, which can turn off the immune system, making one more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

What are the potential digestive issues caused by stress?

Stress can lead to an increase in gastric acid, causing conditions like GERD and gastritis, and may also suppress the digestive system due to its impact on the parasympathetic nervous system.

How does stress impact the body's pH balance?

Stress causes the body to lose hydrogen ions, leading to a more alkaline state. This imbalance can result in symptoms like muscle twitching, hyperventilation, cramping, and anxiety.

What are the effects of stress on the heart and blood sugar levels?

Stress increases blood pressure, heart rate, and can constrict the coronary arteries. It also turns fat and protein into sugar, potentially leading to diabetes or weight gain, especially around the gut.

How does stress affect breathing and lung function?

High cortisol levels from stress can cause hyperventilation, which leads to an imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, potentially causing a lack of oxygen in the tissues.

What part of the brain does stress damage, and how does it relate to sleep and stress perception?

Stress damages parts of the brain that affect sleep and circadian rhythms. It also activates cortisol production, which is controlled by the neurotransmitter GABA.

How does lemon balm tea help with stress reduction?

Lemon balm tea contains phytonutrients that increase GABA levels, which in turn reduces cortisol production. This leads to increased tranquility, reduced anxiety and depression, and improved mood.

What are the additional benefits of lemon balm tea beyond stress reduction?

Lemon balm tea has been shown to improve sleep in people with insomnia, create a full remission of anxiety in a significant percentage of users, and offers various other health benefits.

How often should one drink lemon balm tea for stress relief?

The video suggests drinking lemon balm tea once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and possibly once later in the day for regular stress relief.

Outlines

00:00

🍃 Understanding Stress and Its Effects

This paragraph discusses the impact of stress on various bodily systems. It explains that while a certain level of stress is healthy, sustained stress can be detrimental. The immune system is particularly affected, with high cortisol levels suppressing it, leading to increased susceptibility to infections. The digestive system is also negatively impacted, as stress shuts down the parasympathetic response, which controls digestion. Additionally, stress leads to the loss of essential nutrients like vitamin B1, calcium, potassium, and hydrogen ions, causing an alkaline imbalance. This imbalance can result in symptoms like muscle twitching, hyperventilation, and anxiety. The heart is affected by increased blood pressure and heart rate, while stress can also lead to the conversion of fat and protein into sugars, potentially causing diabetes. Lastly, the paragraph touches on the effects of stress on muscle tone, lung function, and the brain, particularly the depletion of the neurotransmitter GABA, which is crucial for controlling cortisol levels.

05:00

🍋 Lemon Balm Tea: A Natural Stress Reliever

The second paragraph introduces lemon balm tea as a natural remedy for stress. It explains that lemon balm inhibits GABA, thereby reducing cortisol levels and helping the body manage stress. The tea is described as having phytonutrients that promote tranquility, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve mood. A study is mentioned where lemon balm led to a full remission of anxiety in 70% of participants and significant sleep improvements for those with insomnia. The paragraph emphasizes the simplicity, affordability, and additional health benefits of lemon balm tea, making it a recommended stress-reducing method. It also suggests viewers check out a video on acupressure for stress relief.

Keywords

💡Stress

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to demanding or threatening situations. In the video, stress is portrayed as a double-edged sword; while some stress can be beneficial for personal growth, like exercising, sustained stress is detrimental to health. It is linked to various health issues such as a weakened immune system, digestive problems, and increased cortisol levels.

💡Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It is often referred to as the 'stress hormone' because it helps the body adapt to stressors. The video explains that high cortisol levels, due to sustained stress, can lead to health problems like immune suppression, increased blood sugar, and weight gain around the abdomen.

💡Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis

The HPA axis is a complex set of interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. It plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. As explained in the video, when stress is perceived, the HPA axis activates, leading to the release of cortisol. This axis is central to the body's adaptation and recovery from stress.

💡Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a plant in the mint family that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. In the context of the video, lemon balm tea is recommended as a natural remedy to reduce stress. It is said to increase GABA levels, which in turn helps to decrease cortisol production, leading to a calming effect and potentially reducing anxiety and improving sleep.

💡GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

GABA is a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a key role in inhibiting excitatory signals. It acts as a 'brake' on the nervous system, preventing over-excitement. The video highlights that lemon balm can increase GABA levels, which helps to reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels.

💡Immune System

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against pathogens. The video explains that chronic stress can suppress the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

💡Digestive System

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body can use for energy, growth, and cell repair. According to the video, stress negatively impacts the digestive system by disrupting its normal functioning, potentially leading to conditions like ulcers and GERD.

💡Alkalosis

Alkalosis is a condition where the body's pH is abnormally high, meaning it is too alkaline. The video mentions that stress can lead to alkalosis, which can cause symptoms like muscle twitching, hyperventilation, and anxiety.

💡Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation is a condition where a person breathes too quickly or deeply, leading to a decrease in the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. The video explains that high cortisol levels due to stress can cause hyperventilation, which can result in a feeling of breathlessness and an imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body.

💡Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. The video suggests that lemon balm can improve sleep quality, particularly for those suffering from insomnia, by reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.

💡Acupressure

Acupressure is a technique similar to acupuncture but instead of using needles, it involves applying pressure to specific points on the body. The video mentions a related video on acupressure for stress relief, indicating that it is another method to manage stress alongside the recommended lemon balm tea.

Highlights

The video aims to help reduce stress through a simple daily routine.

Reducing stress to zero is not healthy for a long period; some stress is beneficial.

Stress, when sustained, can burn out organs and negatively impact health.

High cortisol levels suppress the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.

Sustained stress can cause atrophy to lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus.

Stress affects the digestive system by increasing gastric acid and potentially causing ulcers.

Stress depletes essential nutrients like vitamin B1, calcium, potassium, and hydrogen ions.

Stress can lead to alkalosis, with symptoms like muscle twitching, hyperventilation, and anxiety.

Stress increases blood pressure, heart rate, and constricts the coronary arteries.

High stress levels can contribute to diabetes by turning fat and protein into sugar.

Stress causes muscle rigidity and spasms, and can lead to hyperventilation.

Stress affects the brain, disrupting sleep and circadian rhythms, and depletes the neurotransmitter GABA.

Lemon balm tea is recommended for its calming effects and ability to increase GABA levels.

Lemon balm has been shown to create full remission of anxiety in 70% of people and improve sleep for those with insomnia.

Lemon balm tea is cost-effective and has additional health benefits beyond stress reduction.

The video also mentions acupressure for stress relief, providing a link for further information.

Transcripts

now this video is going to greatly help

those who are

going through

stress

and i want to make this as simple as

possible

you're just going to be drinking one cup

of this

thing i'm going to tell you

in a few minutes daily to bring down

your stress

to zero but i first want to explain

why it works now i do want to say that

reducing your stress to zero is not

healthy for a long period of time in

fact you can't

live without some stress stress is

actually healthy as long as it's not

sustained our bodies become

stronger when we put our body through

stress like exercise for example right

if you

sit on the couch no stress

did nothing you would waste away

the problem is sustained stress burns

out a lot of your organs and i want to

just go through that fairly rapidly

number one the immune system okay

stress high levels of cortisol this hpa

stands for hypothalamus pituitary

adrenal

so

when you perceive stress through your

brain

it goes through these different levels

and then it comes out as cortisol and so

now your body can start adapting to

stress with the help of cortisol so

cortisol kind of goes through these

organs and adjusts the organs to deal

with this stress

but with the immune system

it basically turns off and that makes

you very susceptible to viral infections

and all sorts of things i mean think

about what happens um when people get

stressed out a lot of times they get

sick right

and so

um stress is suppresses the immune

system so that's not a good thing

sustained stress can create atrophy to

your lymph nodes actually shrink your

lymph nodes shrink the spleen

and the thymus that's your immune system

okay so

stress is very bad for the immune system

okay so now the stomach you can actually

develop an ulcer

you can have the acid start splashing up

causing gerd there's more gastric acid

increase in the stomach that's why you

might get gastritis

the entire digestive system is

controlled by the

parasympathetic that's the

rest in digest that's the opposite of

this stress mechanism right here so

stress pretty much

turns off the digestive system try to

digest when you're under stress it just

doesn't work now as a side note stress

also depletes you of vitamin b1 calcium

potassium

and this thing right here h plus

that's a hydrogen ion now what does that

mean what does how does that relate to

anything

well when you're going through stress

you lose

the hydrogen ion

what is the hydrogen ion well you know

what you've heard of ph before right

ph that's the power of the hydrogen ion

so basically this is

an acid so when you go through stress

you're jacking up cortisol

you're losing

your acids and guess what you become

too alkaline

so you would think that stress makes you

acid no it doesn't it makes you

excessively too alkaline and the

symptoms of alkalosis are muscle

twitching

hyperventilation

cramping anxiety

interesting

now stress affects the heart by

increasing the blood pressure the heart

rate and creating a constriction of the

coronary artery stress affects the blood

sugars by turning

things into sugar okay your fat in the

sugar protein in the sugar ketones in

the sugar

and this is why

high levels of stress can even make a

person a diabetic

okay so even though you're not eating

sugar your body is producing sugar out

of other things

by having too much stress because

another name for this is a

glucocorticoid

now all this sugar that's generated is

basically making us fat so if you have

too much cortisol you start developing

fat specifically around your gut because

the liver is becoming fatty and then it

spills over into the gut so you'll have

belly fat now the tone of the muscles

become very very rigid and tight

so you get muscle spasms the lung has a

problem

when you have high levels of cortisol

you hyperventilate right

you think you're not getting enough

oxygen but you're getting too much

oxygen i did a whole video on this it's

very counter-intuitive it's very

interesting i mean think about this if

you were to hyperventilate right now

what would happen you would get too much

oxygen and you would pass out

too much oxygen

and not enough co2 actually locks up the

ability to absorb this oxygen in the

tissues

and what happens is you basically starve

of oxygen so

there's some really great data on this

that i did on a video i'll put the link

down below you can watch that later but

the point is that stress

throws off your lung

and causes an inability to breathe i

mean think about asthma think about

people during panic attacks people have

anxiety they're they're trying to get

more oxygen and that's making things

worse you should basically just breathe

through your nose calm your breath down

and then you'll get more oxygen like

really slowly

now the brain this is

the last part of this puzzle stress

both destroys certain parts of the brain

that's why it affects your sleep your

circadian rhythms with sleep but the

perception of stress

coming through the brain

that's activating the cortisol

is controlled by this neurotransmitter

called gaba okay gaba

is

like a turn off switch it's like the

brake pads

50 of all the little

synapses in your brain are a combination

of glutamate and gaba receptors okay and

only five percent

are dopamine and serotonin

so all you need to know for this example

is gaba

is very very very important in

relationship to cortisol it controls

this excessive amount of cortisol so

when people go through excessive amount

of stress over a period of time

they don't necessarily burn out the

adrenals

they're burning out this

neurotransmitter right here

so

this remedy i'm going to talk about

inhibits

gaba it blocks the enzyme that slows

down the degradation of gaba thus

increasing gaba

which turns off cortisol

so these little hormones that are coming

out of hypothalamus pituitary

down to here are all turned off when you

increase

gaba okay and that remedy is

lemon balm

[Music]

tea

that's right you wanted to start

drinking on a regular basis lemon balm

tea it's very very simple you have one

in the morning maybe one in the

afternoon maybe one a little bit later

and

this has certain phytonutrients to

increase gaba one of the big effects

that lemon balm has over your body is it

increases tranquility right that's a

really cool word tranquility what does

it mean it means peaceful serene

unshaken

unworried

so it increases your tolerance to stress

it helps you to be calm

it has properties of anti-anxiety

anti-depression

it increases and elevates your mood it

does a lot of other things but it's

really really good for reducing

cortisol so in one study lemon balm

which is in the mint family as a plant

created a full remission of anxiety in

70 percent of people who took it and it

also showed significant sleep

improvements for those people who had

insomnia and 85

of the people who took it now there's

many things you can do for stress but

lemon balm tea is one of my favorite

things it's simple you'll feel quick

effects right away it's very inexpensive

and it has a lot of additional health

benefits as well that go way beyond just

the stress reduction now if you have not

seen my video on how to do acupressure

for stress you definitely need to check

that out i put it up right here check it

out