Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus, like the uterus, is a “pooled gland”, it’s hormones are in a liquid pool which is strongly affected by the phases of the moon.
The hypothalamus is a more basic area of the brain and forms a link between the central nervous system and the endocrine system and the immune system via the pituitary gland. There is a small nucleus there where all three of these systems converge on one another. This area is called the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The PVN is in ultimate control over the secretion or suppression of cortisol from the adrenal gland based upon the marching orders the brain gives it. This implies that the PVN is the source of adrenal fatigue and CFS and not the adrenal gland.
This circuit controls:
- Sleep
- Hormonal function
- Temperature
- Autonomic function (blood pressure, pulse, sweats, peristalsis, etc.)
- Required enormous energy
- Acts as a circuit breaker – protecting you from further injury. When it shuts down, as in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, there's no damage to it, it just goes into hibernation.
All of the releasing hormones come from the hypothalamus.
Main duty?
Releasing Hormones
- GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone), GHIH is the inhibitory version (somatostatin)
- PRF (prolactin releasing hormone), PIF (prolactin inhibiting hormone also known as dopamine)
- GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone)
- TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone)
- CRH (corticotropic releasing hormone)
In fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome we often see SIBO and the reason is that since the hypothalamus is off-line and it controls peristalsis, food has trouble passing along the digestive system. When food moves slowly through the small intestine (which is fairly sterile), the bacteria aren’t washed down into the colon but build up in the small intestine. This is also seen in low thyroid (which is why a critical part of treating SIBO is to treat low thyroid)
Exercise Increases Hypothalamic POMC Neurons Firing Rate
High-intensity interval training improves hypothalamic inflammation.