Depression, Anxiety and Your Chiropractor
The Default Mode Network
Understanding The default mode network may help you take the action you need to improve your mental health during stressful times. The first step is understanding. Step two is taking action. New developments in neuroscience and understanding the brain have led to the research being published in neuroscience publications world wide. This information may the gateway to you taking better care of stress, anxiety and depression in your life. While more research will certainly be done, that which has been done so far, shows serious promise!
The default mode network (DMN) is a group of brain regions that work together when you’re not actively focused on the outside world. It’s like the brain’s “default” setting, which kicks in when you’re daydreaming, thinking about yourself, or recalling memories. When you start doing something that requires attention, like solving a puzzle or working, the DMN tends to deactivate, allowing other brain networks to take over. It helps regulate emotions and maintain mental health by allowing you to reflect on your experiences and emotions. Disruptions in the DMN have been linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and anxiety. In simple terms, the DMN is like your brain’s “idle mode,” where it processes internal thoughts and memories when you’re not actively engaged with the outside world. It plays a vital role in maintaining your sense of self and emotional balance.
The DMN is involved in self-referential thinking, which can contribute to rumination—a hallmark of depression. What is Rumination? Rumination is a thought process where an individual repeatedly dwells on negative thoughts, experiences, or emotions. An example of rumination would be a person who lies in bed at night worrying if their child will be killed in a car accident if they let their child ride to school with a friend. Another great example would be someone who when on an airplane can’t stop thinking about the time in 8th grade that a teacher called them worthless and stupid, and they believe that to be true, and that teacher ruined their life. Rumination is common when people are depressed, and that rumination has been shown to change the way that our brain works…and not in a good way. Rumination has been shown to often perpetuate negative emotions and increase the risk of developing mental health disorders. Ruminating can make it harder to deal with stress, stay focused and use logic for decision making. It may also lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and low self-esteem.
The DMN is also associated with anxiety. Persistent DMN activity is positively correlated with anxiety scores. This suggests that individuals with anxiety may have difficulty transitioning out of DMN-dominant states, which can perpetuate anxious thoughts. Altering DMN activity through various interventions including chiropract holds promise for reducing anxiety symptoms by improving emotional regulation and network balance. However, these approaches should be integrated into comprehensive treatment plans that address the multifaceted nature of anxiety disorders.
Studies have demonstrated that chiropractic spinal adjustments can enhance connectivity within the DMN. This increased connectivity may contribute to improved cognitive and emotional processing.
Chiropractic care can induce neuroplastic changes in the brain, affecting how sensory information is processed and integrated. This can lead to alterations in DMN function, potentially influencing self-referential thinking and improved emotional regulation.
Chiropractic interventions have been associated with reductions in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain, which are often linked to DMN dysfunction. By improving DMN function, chiropractic care may help alleviate these symptoms by enhancing emotional regulation and cognitive balance.
Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to alter brain activity patterns, including increased alpha activity within the DMN, which can indicate improved relaxation and reduced stress. These changes suggest that chiropractic care may influence the DMN’s role in maintaining a healthy balance between internal reflection and external engagement.
The evidence is promising, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which chiropractic care impacts the DMN and to confirm its clinical implications.
Dr. Lou Jacobs has been a chiropractor and acupuncturist in Portland, Maine for the past 23 years. He works with anyone who needs help, he has earned board certification in perinatal and pediatric chiropractic and is a specialist in musician and performing artist health and injuries. He works with athletes, chefs, moms, dads, racecar drivers and travelers. He is always welcoming new patients that need his help. His office while casual in appearance uses only the latest most reliable technology and research to drive the care that you receive.