NLPers just love to talk about the immune system. They appear to think of it like a drawbridge that can be raised and lowered. When “raised” (via whatever nonsense they peddle), then a person is suitably defended against invading pathogens and diseases, even cancer. When it is lowered, well, this is akin to certain death.
Only NLP can save you in such a dire situation.
Anyway, as I intimated in my post on HRV, as a former nurse, I am constantly appalled at the sheer stupidity I see peddled by these self-appointed geniuses. Here’s a quick review of the immune system. Just to note – when I refer to cells having memory or remembering details of a pathogen, the term is figurative and should not be taken literally.
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from disease and infection. The immune system is made up of two main branches:
- The innate immune system
- The adaptive immune system
The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading pathogens. It includes physical and chemical barriers, such as the skin and mucous membranes, as well as non-specific immune cells like neutrophils and macrophages. These cells can recognise and respond to a wide range of pathogens, but they do not have the ability to “remember” previous encounters with specific pathogens.
The adaptive immune system is the second line of defence and is specifically tailored to target specific pathogens. It includes immune cells such as T and B cells, as well as antibodies. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity, in which they directly attack infected cells, while B cells produce antibodies that can neutralise pathogens or mark them for destruction.
The adaptive immune system also has the ability to “remember” previous encounters with specific pathogens. This allows for a more rapid and effective response to secondary infections.
When talking to an NLP expert, ask them if it’s the innate or adaptative system they are improving. Then ask them, “Specifically how?” just to be extra annoying.
The immune system also includes specialised organs and tissues, such as the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. These organs and tissues play important roles in the development and function of immune cells.
When the immune system encounters a pathogen (a baddie, an invader), it triggers a complex series of interactions between immune cells and signalling molecules. This process is known as the immune response. The immune response includes both non-specific and specific mechanisms to eliminate the pathogen and restore homeostasis.
The immune system is a constantly evolving system that can adapt to new and changing pathogens. This is achieved through a process called immunological memory, which allows the immune system to “remember” how to respond to a specific pathogen if it encounters it again in the future.
The problem is, having an excellent and highly responsive immune response isn’t always a good thing.
Allergies
Allergies are a type of immune response in which the body’s immune system reacts to a substance, known as an allergen, that is typically harmless to most people. The immune system mistakes the allergen for a harmful substance and produces specific antibodies, called immunoglobulin E (IgE), to fight it off. These antibodies trigger the release of chemicals, such as histamine, that cause an inflammatory response, resulting in symptoms such as itching, sneezing, a runny nose, and difficulty breathing.
Allergens can come from various sources, including pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mould, and certain foods. The specific allergens that trigger an allergic response can vary from person to person.
Allergies are classified as either seasonal or perennial, depending on the duration and timing of symptoms. Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are caused by allergens such as pollen and typically occur at specific times of the year. Perennial allergies, on the other hand, are caused by allergens that are present year-round, such as pet dander or dust mites.
The immune system of an individual with allergies is oversensitive and overreacts to harmless substances, such as pollen, resulting in symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. This overreaction is caused by the production of IgE antibodies, which are specific to the allergen and bind to cells called mast cells and basophils, leading to the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a mega-immune response. Ask the NLPers how they are sure that their powerful therapy systems aren’t going to make a person more likely to have an anaphylactic response, and how can they be so sure?
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It is characterised by a rapid onset of symptoms that can affect multiple organ systems, including the skin, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems.
It typically occurs within minutes to hours after exposure to an allergen and can be triggered by a wide range of substances, including food, medications, insect venom, and latex. Common symptoms of anaphylaxis include hives, itching, flushing, swelling of the face, lips, and throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, a rapid heartbeat, and a drop in blood pressure. In severe cases, anaphylaxis can lead to unconsciousness and death.
It’s a terrifying scenario. I always remember the young woman who came into our A&E department with a wrist injury. Her arm was x-rayed and strapped up, and she was given ibuprofen and discharged. Luckily for her, she went out the back of the department to the bus stop to await her bus home. She was sitting just metres from the department entrance when the anaphylaxis began. By the time she re-entered the department, she was close to collapse, and various personnel moved her rapidly to the resus room. Without any history of allergy and having taken ibuprofen previously without incident, I have no doubt that, without such rapid intervention, she probably would not have survived.
This catastrophic reaction is caused by the release of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, from immune cells, such as mast cells and basophils, in response to an allergen. These mediators cause the characteristic symptoms of anaphylaxis by dilating blood vessels, increasing the permeability of capillaries, and contracting smooth muscles.
The first line of treatment is the administration of epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, which can be given via an auto-injector. Epinephrine works by constricting blood vessels, reducing inflammation and swelling, and increasing the heart rate, helping to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs. This treatment improves things and buys time but is not the instant magical cure that we see portrayed in the movies.
Other treatments such as antihistamines, steroids and bronchodilators may also be used to reduce symptoms. Once treated, the person should be observed for several hours, as symptoms can recur.
Mast Cells
Mast cells are a type of immune cell that are found in tissues throughout the body, including the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Mast cells play an important role in the body’s immune response, particularly in the response to allergens and parasites. They are best known for their role in the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators in response to allergens, which leads to the characteristic symptoms of allergies such as itching, sneezing, and difficulty breathing.
When a mast cell encounters an allergen, it binds to specific antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE) that are specific to the allergen. This binding triggers the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and proteases, from the mast cell. These mediators cause the characteristic symptoms of an allergic response.
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a rare disorder characterised by the abnormal activation of mast cells, resulting in the excessive release of inflammatory mediators. MCAS is characterised by a wide range of symptoms that can vary depending on the organ system involved. Symptoms may include recurrent anaphylaxis, flushing, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headaches, joint pain, and fatigue. MCAS can be caused by an underlying disorder or genetic mutation, or it can occur spontaneously.
Diagnosing MCAS can be difficult because its symptoms are often nonspecific and mimic those of other conditions. It took 17 years to finally get an accurate diagnosis. The diagnosis is usually made based on the presence of symptoms and abnormal laboratory results, such as elevated levels of inflammatory mediators in the blood, but of course, the result is only if the medic is looking for it in the first place. My experience is that few (well, none that I encountered directly) ever do so.
Treatment of MCAS typically involves the use of medications to control the symptoms and reduce the number of mast cells in the body. Medications such as antihistamines, corticosteroids, and cromolyn sodium can be used to control symptoms. In some cases, immunomodulatory drugs such as montelukast or omalizumab may also be used.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are medications that are used to block the actions of histamine, a chemical mediator released by immune cells during an allergic reaction.
There are two main classes of antihistamines:
- The first-generation antihistamines
- The second-generation antihistamines.
First-generation antihistamines, also known as sedating antihistamines, are the older class of antihistamines. They were first introduced in the 1940s and include drugs such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl/Nytol), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton/Piriton), and clemastine (Tavist). These drugs work by binding to histamine receptors (H1 receptors) in the body, thus blocking the effects of histamine.
First-generation antihistamines have several side effects, including drowsiness, sedation, and dry mouth. They also tend to have several interactions with other medications and should be used with caution in people with certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma or urinary retention. They are often used to relieve symptoms of hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and hives. Chronic consumption of these medications carries all sorts of neurological issues for the user, notably poor concentration, memory loss and possibly an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic consumption is most common in insomniacs who take these medications to help them sleep.
The second-generation antihistamines, also known as non-sedating antihistamines, were introduced in the 1980s and include drugs such as loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and fexofenadine (Allegra). These drugs have a similar mechanism of action as first-generation antihistamines, but they have a longer duration of action and fewer side effects, such as drowsiness.
Second-generation antihistamines have a lower risk of drug-drug interactions and are less likely to cause sedation or drowsiness. They are also less likely to cause dry mouth, blurred vision, and urinary retention, which are common side effects of first-generation antihistamines. They are often used to relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, hives, and itching.
Vaccination – (It’s named after cows)
Far too many NLPers have bought into the anti-vaccination tropes, especially in the COVID era. Vaccines work by training the immune system to recognise and respond to specific pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, without causing a full-blown disease. Vaccines contain either killed or weakened forms of a pathogen or a small piece of the pathogen’s genetic material, such as a protein. When a vaccine is administered, the immune system recognises the pathogen as foreign and mounts an immune response.
During this response, immune cells, such as T and B cells, are activated and begin to produce specific antibodies, called immunoglobulins, against the pathogen. These antibodies can neutralise the pathogen or mark it for destruction by other immune cells.
Additionally, some vaccines also contain small amounts of an adjuvant, a substance that enhances the immune response to the vaccine. This allows the immune system to produce a stronger and longer-lasting response to the pathogen.
The immune system “memorises” the pathogen and its specific antibodies, allowing for a faster and more efficient response if the person is exposed to the actual pathogen in the future. This is called immune memory.
One important aspect of vaccines is that they mimic the natural infection process without causing the disease; this allows the person to develop immunity without having to suffer the symptoms or complications of the disease. This process is particularly important for diseases that can cause severe illness or death, such as measles, meningitis, or COVID-19.
Despite what the morons of social media tell you, vaccines have been proven to be one of the most effective public health measures for preventing the spread of infectious diseases and saving lives. They not only protect the individual who receives the vaccine but also help to create herd immunity, which occurs when a large portion of a population is vaccinated and able to resist the spread of a disease, thus providing protection to those who cannot receive a vaccine, such as infants and people with certain medical conditions.
Discovery
Vaccination was discovered by a doctor named Edward Jenner in the late 18th century. Jenner was an English physician and scientist who observed that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox, a disease similar to but less severe than smallpox, did not subsequently contract smallpox.
Based on this observation, Jenner hypothesised that exposure to cowpox could protect against smallpox. In 1796, during a time when medical ethics were largely ignored, Jenner performed the first vaccination by taking material from cowpox pustules on a milkmaid’s hand and using it to inoculate an unfortunate 8-year-old boy. I can only guess that the kid was considered expendable, as he soon developed cowpox but did not develop smallpox when later he was deliberately exposed to the disease. Jenner’s case study on the boy, entitled “An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae,” was later published in 1798, in which he described the boy’s vaccination and subsequent immunity to smallpox.
Jenner’s work marked the beginning of the modern era of vaccination. He called the procedure “vaccination” after the Latin word for cow, “vacca”. His work laid the foundation for the development of other vaccines, including the smallpox vaccine, which was developed by Jenner’s contemporary, another English physician named Benjamin Jesty.
Jenner’s method of vaccination using cowpox as a means of protecting against smallpox was further developed and refined by other scientists and physicians, including Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch.
Jenner discovered vaccination, marking a major breakthrough in medicine and profoundly impacting public health. His work led to the development of other vaccines, such as rabies and anthrax vaccines, and ultimately to the eradication of smallpox, the first disease to be eradicated by human effort.