Chakras and Endocrine system connection part 1

Proper functioning of our organs and endocrine system is necessary for good health and wellbeing.  The endocrine glands each secrete hormones that regulate various functions throughout the body and they require each other to be balanced in order for us to feel and be well.  Each endocrine gland corresponds to a Chakra.  This overview is to provide general information about the relationship of these glands and the Seven Chakras. 

When one Chakra is out of balance it cannot generate the free flow of energy that is needed for balance to be created.  We then can become either physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually out of balance (or usually a combination of all of these). 

There are 7 (seven) systems of the body and 156 organs.

1.        Cardiovascular System

2.        Gastric-intestinal System

3.        Nervous System

4.        Endocrine System

5.        Urine-Genital System

6.        Respiratory System

7.        Osseous-Joints System

When one of our endocrine glands is not functioning properly this affects all of the others, particularly the pituitary and hypothalamus.

The endocrine glands are the pineal, pituitary/hypothalamus, thyroid/parathyroid, thymus, pancreas, gonads (or ovaries), and adrenals.   These glands govern and regulate the continuous and prolonged functions of growth and development, cellular metabolism, energy, our blood balance of nutrients, reproduction, body water and electrolytes and the body's defences against stress.

Each of the endocrine glands corresponds with one of the 7 main Chakras transmitting and receiving energy to and from each of the endocrine glands.

Crown Chakra – Pineal Gland – 7th Chakra

The pineal gland is considered one of the three master glands (along with the pituitary and hypothalamus glands).  While the pituitary and hypothalamus glands are responsible for the regulation for ALL of the other endocrine glands, the pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin.  Melatonin is stimulated by Darkness (we create more in darkness) and inhibited by Light (daylight slows its production).

Melatonin regulates our sleep-awake cycle, breathing cycles, and our awareness of the time of day and the seasons via the degree of light coming through the retina of the eyes.

Spiritually, the pineal gland is associated with both the Crown and 3rd Eye Chakras.  Some believe the Crown Chakra also acts like an antennae or satellite dish receiving cosmic energies from above.

Our brain stem is an extension of our spinal cord and our mid-brain is the highest part of the brain stem.  The pineal gland is located within the mid-brain, behind the thalamus and literally hangs from the roof of the 3rd ventricle of the brain. The mid-brain is literally as such; it joins the lower parts of the brain stem and spinal cord with higher parts of the brain. Though not directly connected to the spine, it does affect the entire spine especially in relation to our motor coordination and posture.

Third Eye - Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus – 6th Chakra

The pituitary gland is a pea sized; double-lobed gland nestled in the spheroid bone at the roof of the nose. The spheroid bone is the only bone that connects to all the other bones of the cranium and its movement is responsible for "milking" the pituitary gland to secrete its hormones.

The pituitary gland is considered a master gland, (as is the pineal gland), and produces hormones that specifically affect all the other endocrine glands. It has been called the "Generals Headquarters".  The hypothalamus controls the pituitary function and can be considered as the “Central Processing Unit” for our entire hormonal system.

Another metaphor that may be helpful to use to explain this is that the pituitary is the CEO of the “Company” who reports directly to the “Board” (hypothalamus) who provides direction and governance on behalf of the shareholders (the rest of our endocrine glands and organs)!

Interaction with the Third Eye and Crown Chakras will directly affect the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Additionally, the medulla oblongata works directly with the hypothalamus and thus the pituitary gland. Both the hypothalamus and medulla oblongata are responsible for controlling involuntary processes such as the regulation of the heartbeat, breathing, constriction and dilation of blood vessels and body temperature. The medulla oblongata is integral in the transmission of nerve impulses between the spinal cord and the higher brain centres, including the pituitary gland.  The medulla oblongata is the gateway between the spinal cord and the brain.

Throat Chakra – Thyroid Gland – 5th Chakra

The pituitary gland affects the thyroid gland by producing a hormone called thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH), which prompts the thyroid to release more T4 and T3.  These thyroid hormones help maintain normal blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, muscle tone and reproductive functions.

The neck (throat) area is where we take in and expel air by inhaling and exhaling. It is the bridge through which the breath must pass in order that we may live.

We bring in to us through the in-breath and we release what is no longer needed on the out-breath.

Deep breathing can revitalise the thyroid/parathyroid glands as well as the whole body by bringing in life-force energy, calm and serenity.  (There is some science behind the “take a few deep breaths!”)

Heart Chakra – Thymus Gland – 4th Chakra

The thymus gland is located in the upper part of the chest, specifically in front and above the heart behind the sternum. It produces the white blood cells that fight infections and destroy abnormal cells (T-lymphocytes (T-cells)).

The Thymus is considered the master gland of a healthy immune system.

Science has proven that T-cell count increases when we are feeling the emotions of love. It is directly affected by our ability to give and receive love.

It is often considered that our Heart Chakra acts as our “Centre” as it is powerfully affected by feeling and emotion.  When we are feeling bitter, angry, or hateful towards another, or ourselves our ability to fight infection and disease is reduced (and we become ‘run-down’).  A healthy thymus gland is directly associated to the development of compassion and kindness (towards both ourselves and each other).

Solar Plexus (Navel) Chakra – Pancreas Gland – 3rd Chakra

The pancreas gland is an elongated organ located diagonally across the back of the abdomen, slightly below and behind the stomach and in front of the spine.

The pancreas plays two roles having both digestive and hormonal functions. One part of the pancreas, the exocrine pancreas, secretes digestive enzymes. The other part of the pancreas, the endocrine pancreas, secretes hormones that regulate the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.  (The pancreas manages how we let ‘sweetness’ into ourselves).

Diabetes is a common ailment of a poorly functioning pancreas.  There are different types of diabetes and some can be managed or remedied by exercise, diet and stress reduction.

The solar plexus is also sometimes referred to as the navel chakra and is often considered our centre of “will”.  It is where we most keenly experience our ego and self esteem.  It can also regulate how we let “sweetness” into our life.

Sacral Chakra – Gonads – 2nd Chakra

The gonads are the ovaries in a woman and testes in a man. They are the main source of our sex hormones, the chemicals that secrete the essences for new life via eggs and sperm. They respectively create our feminine and masculine characteristics. There is a direct connection between the ovaries and our adrenal glands (refer first chakra).  Adrenal fatigue can affect a woman's menstrual cycle. 

Root Chakra – Adrenal Glands – 1st Chakra

Our pair of adrenal glands, also referred to as the supra-renal glands, are triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney.  Our adrenal glands work hand-in-hand with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

The adrenal glands are located just underneath the 11th and 12th ribs on the back plus a little bit beyond the ribs and about 1/3 of the way out from the spine.

The adrenal glands are made up of two parts. The outer part is called the adrenal cortex, and the inner part is called the adrenal medulla.

The adrenal cortex produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism, the balance of salt, potassium and water in the body, the immune system, and sexual function. It is also responsible for the production of cortisol, which regulates glucose levels and inflammation of tissue.  Adrenal glands are responsible for our ‘flight or fight’ response.

The adrenal medulla produces hormones that help the body cope with physical and emotional stress by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure.

Balanced, healthy adrenal glands help us stay grounded, feel vital, calmly focused and alert and provide support to our parasympathetic nervous system whose job is to restore our body.