In my practice I see a lot of people who are dealing in one form or another with anxiety – that tricky emotional state of discomfort and unrest mixed with worry. This emotional state is prevalent in our society.  Drugs prescribed for anxiety (i.e.Xanax) are the most prescribed psychiatric medications in the U.S.

There are many different illnesses and situations that can cause anxiety. Over 80 different physical illnesses, drug related syndromes, and psychiatric conditions that can result in anxiety.

But let’s say that you are in good health, not taking or using any drugs or alcohol,and still you have bouts of anxiety that don’t seem to have any rhyme or reason.  For example – you have never had any bad experiences on a boat yet every time you are faced with going on a boat you become anxious. Why?

New research from the neuroscientists out of Emory University has shown a possible reason – genetic inheritance. That right – you may never have had any

problems with boats, but your mother may have capsized and now you carry her anxiety.

The researchers in this experiment gave male rats a mild foot shock when they smelled cherry blossoms.  They then had the rats mate and produce offspring. These offspring were raised to adulthood without being exposed to cherry blossoms. Then when they smelled cherry blossoms for the first time they became anxious and fearful.  This trait extended out to the next generation also. These offspring were even born with more cherry-blossom-detecting neurons in their

noses and more brain space devoted to cherry-blossom-smelling.  The transmission of these traits is thought to be through epigenetic inheritance.  Epigenetics studies the proteins around the DNA that determine how the DNA will be read.

Mind, body, energy medicine is one way to become conscious of these unconscious anxieties that run in the body.  It is believed that updating the belief system results in changes in the epigenetic proteins, which change what polypeptides (emotional chemicals) that the body produces.
Dr Barb Largent has a private practice at Hawthorn Healing Arts Center, and can be reached directly with questions or to schedule a visit:  541 550-0907