A Probable Etiology and Pathomechanism of Arousal and Anxiety on Cellular Level - Is It the Key for Recovering from Exaggerated Anxiety?

Abstract

spiritual status and personality influence our breathing patterns (i.e. breathing rarely, frequently, irregularly) causing pH alteration in the organism. In this manner, the actual cytosolic pH of neurons affects arousal by modifying Ca 2+ conductance, establishing a particular feedback mechanism. The concentration of carbon dioxide can alter the whole organism at the same time because of its extremely high penetrance. If the the concentration thus altered endures for a long time (several hours to a week), the organism starts to "compensate". Stability of extra-and intracellular pH is of high priority. Renal function and various tissue buffer mechanisms (mostly) restore the pH in the intra-and extracellular space, but the concentration of other ions in the cytosol remains altered for longer. The development of the new ionmilieu needs 5-7 days (Gennari et al., 1972). The new ionmilieu of the cells differs from the physiological one (restoration of the original ionmilieu would take another 5-7 days at least). Then chronic hypocapnia or hypercapnia is followed by cascades that alter the whole ionmileu in the cells. They may even alter the neurotransmitter/endocrine status (Dodge et al., 1967; Bailey et al., 2003). Human is a species especially vulnerable to the long-term alteration of carbon dioxide levels. The explanation of this is the fact that humans become hypo-or hypercapnic not only by organic diseases, but by mental disorders as well, and-most importantly-because of learned behaviours. This latter can be dangerous, because it may result in diseases of civilization (Sikter et al., 2009). It is frequently asserted that it is the "stress of life" itself that causes diseases of civilization (induced by "stress-hormones") (Selye, 1956). This statement might be incorrect in that wild animals don't get diseases of civilization, (except if they are living near civilization) even though they are at least as much stressed as human beings are. Wild animals behave and react according to their instincts. According to our viewpoint, in this acute stress response the most important factors to consider are the strong catecholamine (e.g. noradrenaline) rush and acute hypocapnia. During this hyperarousal condition wild animals will fight or flee. This exertion results in increased carbon dioxide production and this in turn restores the biochemistry and physiology. Human hyperarousal stress response is biphasic, but it is also accompanied by hypocapnia. (See below.) In their response to stress human beings differ from wild animals in that their response to stress is more complex. They can mostly restrain their temper, thus often physical activity will not follow hyperarousal stress. Moreover, the enduring hypocapnia would result in ionmovements through membranes, causing metabolic, endocrine alterations, and illnesses because of the alteration of "milieu interieur". Namely, diseases of civilization are caused by the distress evoked by the lack of instinctive reaction to stress. Animals become anxious and depressed after chroni...