Touch-Me-Not, I'm Anxious!
-SANYA SUNDAR
My first fascination with the plant kingdom began with the Mimosa Pudica, or fondly referred to as the ‘touch-me-not’. A trail near my mother’s house was lined with them and as a little kid, I spent many hours interacting with them.
The leaves of this ‘sensitive’ plant close when stimulated and then re-open a few minutes later. This reflex may have evolved as a defence mechanism to disincentives predators, or alternatively to shade the plant in order to reduce water loss due to evaporation . There are other species in the same genus, like the mimosa hostilus, that visually appear to be extremely similar, except for this tiny detail. Very often, while clinging on to the larger picture, the tiny details can be missed and this causes a world of a difference in your perception and experience of reality.
Anxiety is a very important emotion that helps protect you from harm. In our Hunter gatherer ancestors, this was short lived and beneficial as it would kick in the fight or flight response at the sign of an external threat to their survival.
In modern times though, most of the threats are not immediate nor are they threatening our physical existence at every single moment. They are mostly percieved threats, mostly more psychological than physiological in nature; fears and worries of the past (what happened earlier that could happen again) or future (what might happen tomorrow) that threaten the image or ego we have painstakingly built up to maintain our perception of reality and continue functioning in society. As a result, anxiety causes this quick and simple threat detection system to become hypersensitive, changing the behaviour of the attentional spotlight in a way that does harm. We lose track of our focus and begin to be affected by anything that shows even the slightest form of threat. When one is only focused on threat for an extended period of time, it can affect the the information processed by our consciousness, flooding it with extreme, unfavourable and unhealthy perceptions.
The interesting detail is that though our definitions of threat have evolved from that of our ancestors, the physiological response remains the same. When you perceive the existence of a threat, there is an increase in cortisol in your bloodstream, which in turn goes and sits in your serotonin receptors, thus creating an imbalance in your serotonin production. Serotonin is your mood stabilising hormone. Increased levels of cortisol in your blood stream over extended periods of time will eventually lead to many further complications that affect both your perception and processing of reality. If that’s not enough, prolonged periods of anxiety leads to increased inflammation that can eventually end up compromising your over worked and over tired immune system, opening the floodgates to a swarm of physical symptoms and further complications.
Understanding this little detail helps me in may quest to change my relationship with anxiety drastically. It’s not a form of avoidance or denial of the threat, but rather, an awareness of entering into the fight or flight mode. With such an awareness I am motivated to work with tools and practices that complement the lowering of my cortisol levels and regaining balance of my serotonin levels. It can make a world of a difference to understanding my intensity of my perceived threats and have better control over my responses. By becoming self-aware of my anxiety, I am able to influence my attention and focus, I work towards preventing a distortion of my reality, understanding my fears better and upholding my belief structures in a healthier manner.
Effective & safe use of tools like yoga, breathing, meditation, mindfulness practices, artistic expression, CBT Training, a walk in nature, a swim in the sea, any form of active meditation, certain kinds of foods, a conversation with a trusted friend or family member, listening to music or watching content that reminds you of happier and less anxious times, can all help reduce cortisol levels and up your serotonin, thus helping you get back to your centre and reopen in a short while, just like the mimosa pudica.
Legally approved psychedelic research also suggests that safe, informed, appropriate and/or monitored use of psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin (Psychedelics are illegal in certain countries. The benefits of Marijuana in working with, understanding and managing states of anxiety have also been widely written about and documented. The cannabinoid properties in Cannabis has also been used since ancient times (the Ayurvedic name for the same is Vijaya) as it has proven to have anti-inflammatory and anxiety relieving properties among various other benefits. However, psychedelic substances are not legal in many countries so do research the legality of the same in yours if you choose to work with them in managing your anxieties.
In conclusion, we go back to the Touch-me-not plant for inspiration. The specimens of Mimosa residing in Kew Gardens were observed and it was noted that they no longer curl up to the nudging fingers of countless human visitors that enter it’s space everyday. As expected, they have been touching these plants to see them perform their trick, and over a period of time, the plants have ceased to respond. It would seem to me that the Mimosa plants have learned that being touched repeatedly is a disturbance, yes, but one with no life-threatening consequences and therefore requiring no reaction.
Looks like this inconspicuous plant continues to teach me lessons even after all these years.
This write up is dedicated to my younger sister. Growing up, she was nicknamed “Thotta-Vaadi”, the Malayalam term for the “touch-me-not” plant, primarily because she was very sensitive and would cry at the drop of a hat. While that was true, I enjoyed calling her the name for very different reasons. After 5 years of being the only child, her arrival was very special for me. A friend for life, and one who happened to remind me of my first friend from the plant kingdom.