Dr. Brianna Livesay Thayakaran, DOM, LAc

Sabbath, The Day of Rest → now studied by modern science 🧠

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science

Read:
https://open.substack.com/pub/drthayalive/p/ancient-sabbath-logic-and-the-neuroscience?r=8a9tqq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Bi Ma Zi (castor oil) → ancient remedy, now under modern scientific review 🧠

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science 🌿

Read:
https://open.substack.com/pub/drthayalive/p/castor-oil-what-tradition-knew-vs?r=8a9tqq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Before it was sold as a product, it was used as Fan Xie Ye in Traditional Chinese Medicine 🌿

Today, we call it Senna—and modern science is finally unpacking how it works on the gut 🧠🫄

In this edition of Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science, we explore what ancient systems understood long before it became a supplement aisle staple 🔬

Read here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/drthayalive/p/before-it-was-a-product-it-was-a?r=8a9tqq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

This week's episode of "We said it first Wednesday"....

🌿 Wuxing, a framework in Traditional Chinese Medicine, views the body as an interconnected system where organs and emotions influence one another. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, it focuses on the dynamic interplay within the body. 🌀

🧠 Modern neuroscience reflects a similar idea called interoception—the brain’s awareness of internal bodily states. 💓 It's the brain’s ability to sense, interpret, and integrate signals from inside the body—essentially, how we perceive our internal physiological states.

Emotion and physiology are deeply intertwined: feelings trigger physical changes, and physical states can, in turn, shape our emotional experiences. ✨

Wellness Wednesday Tip

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the first few days of the menstrual cycle are understood as a time of active blood movement and release 🌺🩸. During this phase, the body directs energy inward and downward to support menstruation.

Because of this, Chinese medicine traditionally advises avoiding strenuous exercise during the first one to three days of the cycle 🚫🏋️‍♀️. Intense movement is thought to pull blood away from the uterus, potentially disrupting the natural process and contributing over time to fatigue, pain, or cycle irregularity.

This isn’t about avoiding movement altogether—gentle activities like walking, stretching, or restorative practices can be supportive 🚶‍♀️🧘‍♀️. Rest, in this context, is considered a form of medicine 🌙✨.

The principle is to honor the body’s rhythms instead of pushing against them.

Patients asked, so I delivered — I’m officially on Substack.

This is a space where I’ll be sharing educational content on integrative medicine, acupuncture, consciousness, neuroscience, healing, and the intersection of ancient wisdom with modern science.

Follow along for deeper conversations, health insights, and exclusive online memberships coming soon.

https://open.substack.com/pub/drthayalive/p/synapse-and-spirit?r=8a9tqq&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

Your liver and gall bladder channels can handle more intensity compared to what serves other channels.

🧘 Yoga & Stretching

Side bends, gentle spinal twists, rotational exercises

Why: Opens up the flank region where these channels run 🌬️

💥 HIIT, Kickboxing & Cardio (with a grunt!)

Think tennis swings, judo throws, or explosive moves that make a sound

Why: Moves stagnation in the liver channel and supports core strength where the channels pass through 💪

🌿 Liver-Related Symptoms

Emotional/Mental:
-> Irritability, frustration, or anger 😠
-> Mood swings or PMS
-> Depression or feeling “stuck” 😔
-> Restlessness or inability to relax

Physical:
-> Tension or stiffness in neck, shoulders, or tendons 💪
-> Headaches, migraines, TMJ
-> Dizziness or blurred vision 👀
-> Digestive issues: bloating, acid reflux, nausea
-> Eye problems (dryness, redness, blurry vision)
-> Vivid or unsettling dreams 🌙
-> Difficulty falling asleep due to mental agitation

🌿 Gallbladder-Related Symptoms

Emotional/Mental:
-> Indecision, procrastination, or hesitation 🤔
-> Lack of courage or assertiveness
-> Feeling timid or fearful about choices

Physical:
-> Pain or tension along the side of the body, ribs, or hip 💪
-> Digestive issues: bitter taste in mouth, nausea after fatty foods
-> Headaches or migraines, especially on one side
-> Eye issues (linked via liver-gallbladder relationship) 👀
-> Restlessness at night
-> Dreams related to stress or anxiety about choices 🌙

🌿 “The Liver makes the plans, the Gallbladder carries them out.” 🌿

Liver (肝, Gān): 🧠✨ Strategic planning, vision, and flexibility—it “thinks ahead” and decides on direction.

Gallbladder (胆, Dǎn): ⚡💪 Courage, decision-making, and action—it “executes the plan” with boldness.

It’s the Liver and Gallbladder channels that allow us to develop and execute routines, helping us biohack our way to more energy. 🔄💥

Routine → Habit Formation → Basal Ganglia Automation → Reduced PFC Load → Conserved Energy → More Focus on Creative Tasks 🎯🖌️