Epigenetic Mechanisms of Integrative Medicine

Figure 2

IM: routes and effects. The figure represents how IM works at different levels such as the psychological, physiological, biochemical, and/or epigenetic levels. The red arrows indicate the different initial levels at which IM can exert its action so that the final action is exerted at the epigenome. An altered epigenome then produces beneficial effects at different levels indicated by green arrows. An IM approach can work at these different levels through a specific hierarchical sequence, or at different levels simultaneously. Some approaches can first act directly at the epigenetic level, surpassing the psychological and physiological levels, for example, the use of curcumin (material medicine) to treat cancer. Conversely, some IM approaches might first act at the psychological level and work their way “downwards” into the epigenome. For example, Ayurveda can act directly on the epigenome, whereas meditation works at the psychological level first. Yoga is an example of a modality that operates at the psychological and physiological levels simultaneously, ultimately altering the epigenome. In certain disease conditions, it may be required that the approach must operate directly at the epigenetic level first. For example, in illnesses where the approach has no physiological or psychological effects, a patient might have their chromatin locked in such a way that is very difficult to alter through a psychological → physiological → epigenetics cascade. For example, in the case of a “psychological block,” it would be first necessary to alter and increase the epigenetic plasticity before changing the psychological state. After the alteration of the epigenetic profile, the effect can manifest in the form of gene expression and biochemical changes, physiological and/or psychological changes. Note also that the DNA sequence (genetic layer) of an individual can also modify the degree of response to any given IM approach. Different types of combination therapy can be used for treatment of severe illnesses.