BIOLOGY of EMOTIONS
We are made of flesh and bones… and emotions. We live in nature and are part of it; we have evolved, but within us still lives that “anim-al” part that speaks through the body. Biology is the science that studies living beings, the phenomena of life, and the laws governing them. Emotions are immediate physical events (sweating, palpitations…)—not mediated by the mind—that guide our responses and behaviors. Emotions move us through life’s situations, preparing the organism to adapt, often before the mind is even aware (free will then allows us to choose whether to listen to what we feel or what we think).
Driven by external or internal stimuli, emotions rise like a wave, reach a peak, and then recede. The first activations occur in early childhood; subsequently, anything recalling a single element of that process activates the “track” and the resulting perceptive response. With a defined timeline, a symptom appears when an emotion is blocked… the tissue repairs itself when the emotion is released.
Listening to another means giving them the opportunity to “look beyond” the fears and judgments that hinder the discovery of who we truly are. Considering the person as a whole, investigating what is “felt” (the sentito) rather than what is thought, allows for an intimate dialogue with one’s own truth.
What is it for?
Knowing oneself better is the way home. Symptoms appear when we maintain emotional activation for a long time or through continuous recurrences. Recognizing the link between a specific emotion and a physical manifestation provides a position of strength where we are no longer victims of “bad luck.” Knowing does not prevent the symptom, but re-cognizing how it is emotionally activated allows for true transformation.
How does a session work?
The consultation focuses on accompanying the person toward recognizing the triggering event, welcoming the emotional expression, and guiding the understanding of the physical manifestation.
CASE STUDIES
Case 1: Paola – Taking “grip” of the situation and the son’s return
- The Challenge: Paola (64) cannot find the courage to confront her son about his family responsibilities.
- Symptoms: Acute left thumb pain and loss of hand strength every time her son visits.
- The Path: In the biology of emotions, the thumb represents the ability to “hold the reins” or have a “grip” (authority). The left side (for a right-handed person) refers to the mother/child relationship.
- Result: Realizing the link between physical pain and communication failure broke the cycle of recurrence.
Case 2: Patrizia – Defending integrity and vital space
- The Challenge: Patrizia (58) experienced unwanted physical contact on a train when a man touched her left breast.
- Symptoms: Local tension and redness in the left breast following the event.
- The Path: The dermis responds to a perceived attack on integrity or a feeling of being “soiled.” The symptom is the biological trace of the repair phase.
- Result: Resolution occurred when Patrizia reacted and restored her boundaries. Awareness eliminated the fear of other pathologies.
Case 3: Corinne – The right to “bite” and dissent
- The Challenge: Professional frustration where Corinne had to remain silent and repress anger during an unsatisfactory course.
- Symptoms: Intense gum pain (left molars) the morning after venting to a friend.
- The Path: Gums are linked to the impossibility of “biting” into a situation. Morning pain indicates the repair phase after an evening release.
- Result: Understanding this correlation gave her the strength to express dissent in the future without somatizing.
Case 4: Franca – Marking territory and accepting change
- The Challenge: Franca (55) felt threatened by a new colleague sharing her office and desk.
- Symptoms: Acute hemorrhagic cystitis.
- The Path: The bladder is linked to “territorial marking” conflicts. The acute phase paradoxically appears when the conflict is resolved (she discovers the colleague is kind and will move elsewhere).
- Result: By understanding the emotional dynamic, symptoms vanished within hours.
