The human brain has an inborn ability to protect itself—even if that means sacrificing other parts of the body. It prioritizes its own survival above all else.
Imagine this nightmare scenario: you’re caught in an uprising, and someone swings a machete at you. Instinctively, you raise your arm to shield yourself. You know you’ll likely lose that arm, but your brain doesn’t hesitate. It says, “I’m the most vital part of this system. You can live without an arm. You can’t live without me.”
That same logic applies throughout the body. The brain will take whatever action is necessary to protect itself, regardless of collateral damage. Its processing resources—regions responsible for specific functions—are arranged by priority. In tandem, stress responses are activated based on how intense and how long the threat persists.
That’s why we experience elevated blood pressure or rapid heartbeat in a crisis, despite knowing that prolonged exposure to these conditions can be harmful. The brain simply reacts: “That’s not my concern right now. I need to deal with the threat. If I need to run, pump more blood, or increase heart rate, I’ll do it.”
When these patterns repeat over time, they become hardwired—through strengthened neuronal connections—forming fixed neurological patterns. These patterns can manifest in four distinct nervous system states: over-aroused, under-aroused, unstable, or exhausted.
Over-Aroused Nervous System
This occurs when the brain is stuck in high gear, often visible on an EEG as excessive Beta wave activity. Beta waves are associated with the fight-or-flight response and require enormous energy. In this state, the nervous system can’t recover or heal—it spends all its energy on defense.
Signs of an over-aroused nervous system include:
- High blood pressure
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased adrenaline and cortisol levels
- Cold extremities
- Rapid breathing
This high-Beta state was designed for short bursts of survival activity. If sustained over time, it becomes extremely damaging—preventing restoration, repair, and healing.
Under-Aroused Nervous System
Here, the brain is stuck in low gear, marked by excessive Theta or Delta activity—waves associated with sleep. These subconscious brain states result in slow responses and poor focus.
Signs and associated conditions may include:
- Hypoglycemia
- Attention deficit disorders
- Low blood pressure
- Constipation
Individuals in dominant Theta states may appear as if they’re sleepwalking—struggling with clear, quick thinking and alertness.
Unstable Nervous System
This state fluctuates between over- and under-arousal unpredictably, even throughout the same day. This instability signals that the brain’s control and adaptability systems have become erratic and fragile.
Symptoms may include both over- and under-arousal traits along with:
- Mood swings
- Migraines
- PMS or hormonal disturbances
It reflects a system that has lost its regulatory rhythm—and if it continues, it may collapse into exhaustion.
Exhausted Nervous System
An exhausted nervous system is becoming increasingly common in our high-stress world. In this state, neurological disruption is so severe that the immune system misfires—perceiving everything as a threat. It becomes hyperreactive and begins attacking the body itself.
This is the birthplace of autoimmune conditions such as:
- Fibromyalgia
- Epstein-Barr Virus
- ALS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Some forms of cancer
In essence, the system turns on itself. These disorders are often signs of a brain and body overwhelmed to the point of dysfunction, no longer able to distinguish friend from foe.
We’ve been trained to view illness as an outside force. But in truth, disease often originates from internal breakdown—a failure of the body to adapt or recover. These failures may arise from poor nutrition, physical trauma, mental stress, genetic predisposition—or, inevitably, time.