Articles
THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF PEOPLE-PLANT RELATIONSHIPS: AN EVOLUTIONARY BRAIN INQUIRY
Article number
954_2
Pages
21 – 28
Language
English
Abstract
People-Plant research studies the effects of our relationship with plants.
Understanding how relationship has contributed to our brains evolution may further illuminate our therapeutic interventions and research findings.
The triune brain theory posits a model of brain functioning from three separate evolutionary centres (MacLean, 1973). The reptilian brain is the oldest and operates on a fight or flight paradigm.
The mammalian brain is associated with our capacity to nurture life.
The neocortex, developed most recently, represents our capacity for reasoning and long range planning.
Each centre contributes to our response to threat, injury, illness or trauma.
Charles Darwin, usually associated with an evolutionary emphasis on survival of the fittest, observed that the emergence of mammals in the progression of species placed nurturance as central to evolutionary fitness.
Current attachment and neurobiology of relationship theory suggests the extended time spent in caring for the immature mammal fostered the development of a nervous system that can be regulated by linking with others.
This paper posits this linkage extends to our relationship with plants.
Over the past decade, significant research has focused on the brains release of the neuropeptide, oxytocin, as an antidote to the stress inducing neuropeptide cortisol.
Oxytocin evokes the experience of trust and well-being, and is stimulated by a range of mammalian behaviours including touching, grooming, and nursing.
Since mammalian behaviour includes husbandry, people-plant research may show that gardening and caring for plants and animals stimulates the release of oxytocin.
Our health models often treat humans as separate from nature.
People-Plant research, viewed from the perspective of the neurobiology of relationship, suggests that our health and well-being is intricately intertwined with the health of our ecosphere.
Understanding how relationship has contributed to our brains evolution may further illuminate our therapeutic interventions and research findings.
The triune brain theory posits a model of brain functioning from three separate evolutionary centres (MacLean, 1973). The reptilian brain is the oldest and operates on a fight or flight paradigm.
The mammalian brain is associated with our capacity to nurture life.
The neocortex, developed most recently, represents our capacity for reasoning and long range planning.
Each centre contributes to our response to threat, injury, illness or trauma.
Charles Darwin, usually associated with an evolutionary emphasis on survival of the fittest, observed that the emergence of mammals in the progression of species placed nurturance as central to evolutionary fitness.
Current attachment and neurobiology of relationship theory suggests the extended time spent in caring for the immature mammal fostered the development of a nervous system that can be regulated by linking with others.
This paper posits this linkage extends to our relationship with plants.
Over the past decade, significant research has focused on the brains release of the neuropeptide, oxytocin, as an antidote to the stress inducing neuropeptide cortisol.
Oxytocin evokes the experience of trust and well-being, and is stimulated by a range of mammalian behaviours including touching, grooming, and nursing.
Since mammalian behaviour includes husbandry, people-plant research may show that gardening and caring for plants and animals stimulates the release of oxytocin.
Our health models often treat humans as separate from nature.
People-Plant research, viewed from the perspective of the neurobiology of relationship, suggests that our health and well-being is intricately intertwined with the health of our ecosphere.
Authors
J.S. Rice
Keywords
neurobiology of relationship, ecotherapy, horticultural therapy, triune brain, limbic resonance, limbic attunement, oxytocin
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