Psychological and mental reactions

In Persian medicine’s view point, psychological and mental reactions (Araz-e-Nafsani), play an important role in maintaining human health. they can have a very quick and profound effect on the health of individuals, even stronger and longer than the effect of food and drink and other principles of health (climate, sleep, exercise,…).  Psychological reactions include anger, sadness, joy and happiness, fear and horror, and embarrassment. fear and depression lead to reduction of the body strength and slowness of the refreshing process after natural disaster; while moderate happiness boosts the strengths and increase the life expectancy.By knowing the temperament and quality of each person’s mental states, the effect of these states on the body can be predicted and evaluated and provide the basis for improving and controlling the person’s emotions and mental states. For example, in a person whose temperament is cold and dry, Grief has adverse effects and can even lead to illness in the person and if he has a melancholic dystemperment, cold emotions such as sadness and fear could aggravate its symptoms. For this person, behaviors that are accompanied by a little excitement are appropriate and it is necessary for this person to be exposed to these situations sometimes. Instead a person with a hot and dry temper or choleric dystemperment, should try to be less in a situation that causes excitement or anger.

Dr. Razieh Nabi Meybodi

Editor and translator: Dr. Fatemeh Alizadeh Vaqasloo