An Exploration of the Essence of Meridians: Their Relationship with Nerves, Body Humors, and Qigong

(I) Meridian System and Nervous System

Clinical trials have shown that one of the crucial conditions for meridian sensation transmission is stillness. This means ceasing distracting thoughts without falling asleep. Stillness does not mean putting the brain in a state of high inhibition, but rather in a special working state. This illustrates the close relationship between the nervous system and the meridian system. Relaxation is also a condition; complete relaxation and naturalness allow the body's bioelectricity and magnetism to shift from chaos to stillness. Under the premise of stillness and relaxation, mental activity is key to restoring order to bioelectricity and magnetism, placing the body in a state of enhanced meridian function. Meridian sensation transmission is a process of energy transfer, while relaxation and stillness are conditions for inducing, adjusting, and concentrating energy. Relaxation and stillness are closely dependent on the nervous system. The body stores enormous energy. Mobilizing and concentrating this energy is not easy; it requires sustained willpower and skillful methods for its rational application. Biocybernetics believe that the meridian system is a functional system that coordinates Yin and Yang, balances deficiency and excess, maintains the body's normal physiological state, strengthens the body's resistance and eliminates pathogens, overcomes external disturbances, adapts to environmental conditions, and controls the body's life activities. In fact, the nervous system also plays an indispensable role. Meridian sensation is generated with the assistance of the nervous system. The central and autonomic nervous systems, which involve subjective intention, are closely related to the body's metabolism. Meridian sensation and the nervous system are interdependent and interact with each other. Intention can guide meridian sensation, accompanied by changes in blood vessels and nerves such as wheals, red lines, and white lines that follow the meridian pathways. Along the main meridian, phenomena such as piloerection and muscle tremors may occur. Meridian sensation can induce a change in the pain threshold (acupuncture anesthesia), which in turn affects the nervous system.

So, what are the differences between the meridian system and the nervous system?

(1) Meridian conduction is a form of energy conduction of biological macromolecules, which can give rise to phenomena such as electricity, magnetism, and light. Nerve conduction, on the other hand, is a form of electrical conduction. The speed of meridian sensation in people with sensitive meridians is much slower than that of nerve conduction, differing by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. Why is the speed of meridian sensation slow, only 20 cm/s? Because the conduction of biological macromolecule energy is not like the conduction of electricity. For example, in the conduction of heat, if one end of an iron rod is placed in a furnace, the other end cannot be felt to be heated immediately; it always takes a period of time. Meridian sensation requires a process of energy accumulation, which is similar to the energy accumulation of lasers.

(2) The pathways, widths, depths, directions, return flows, blockages, and influencing factors of meridian sensation transmission differ from those of nerve conduction. In individuals sensitive to meridians, the width of the sensory zone after electrical stimulation is generally 0.5–1.5 cm on the main meridian and 0.2–0.5 cm on the branches. The results of acupuncture are similar. Meridian sensation transmission can be blocked by moderate pressure (400–600 g/cm²); increased temperature accelerates sensation transmission, while decreased temperature slows it down. Why is this? Local pressure causes displacement of the inherent conductive macromolecules in the meridian, blocking conduction, which can be reconstructed after a certain period. When temperature changes, the energy of meridian conduction also changes; a decrease in baseline energy is compensated for by the energy transmitted through sensation transmission; a higher baseline energy results in faster sensation transmission.

(3) Meridians contain highly active reaction points-acupoints. Nerves are different. The diffusion area of ​​sensitive acupoints varies from 1 to 5 centimeters in diameter, with the largest diffusion area found in commonly used acupoints on the limbs. This is because the tissues of acupoints contain a relatively high amount of oxygen or large molecules of oxygen.

In summary, the meridian system and the nervous system are two different systems in the body. They are closely related, interdependent, mutually reinforcing, mutually opposing, and regulate the body's metabolism, working together to serve the body's health.

(II) Meridian System and Body Fluids

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi and Blood refer to the material basis of human physiological activities. Qi refers to the subtle substances that constitute the human body and maintain its life activities, encompassing the physiological functions and dynamics of the internal organs and meridians. Blood refers to the red liquid flowing within the blood vessels, formed from the essence of food and water transported to the heart after being processed by the spleen and stomach, where it is "transformed" into a reddish substance. Some believe that the main material basis of Qi and Blood circulating in the meridians is nerve impulses, neurotransmitters, endocrine hormones, metabolic products, and other humoral factors. Of course, both perspectives have their own basis. I believe that, in a narrow sense, Qi is energy, and the transmission of energy manifests as the conduction of Qi. "True Qi" is composed of "Primordial Qi," "Great Qi," and "Grain Qi." Primordial Qi is the innate Qi, the cellular metabolic system given by one's parents; Great Qi is mainly the oxygen needed by the human body; and Grain Qi is the food component. These three types of Qi work together to produce energy, which is the so-called "True Qi"-the Qi of the meridians. The Qi transmitted through the meridians that we refer to is a product of human sensation. How can one sense these sensations? Energy is essential. The transmission of energy leads to the generation of electricity, magnetism, light, and heat. Electromagnetism, light, and heat act on nerve receptors, transmitting information to the brain, thus creating sensory transmission. The source of this energy relies on blood and cellular metabolism. Without food and water, without cellular metabolism, there is no energy circulating in the meridians.

Experiments have shown that acupuncture can increase the level of hydrocorticosteroids in the blood during acute appendicitis; acupuncture can also promote the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the anterior pituitary gland, affecting ovulation. The same principle applies to Qigong. Its mechanism can be inferred through some experiments. Experiments by Rosen et al. showed that Qigong "external Qi" has a significant effect on plasma cAMP levels, and this effect is related to the type of Qigong practiced by the practitioner and the level of skill demonstrated in the experiment. Qigong "external Qi" acting on isolated lymphocytes can enhance the cell's DNA synthesis capacity. We can infer that internal Qi can act on cellular enzymes (including adenylate cyclase), increasing their activity beyond their original levels. Changes in cAMP or cGMP levels act on third messengers, regulating cellular metabolism and potentially reducing or increasing the production of certain hormones, thus achieving humoral regulation. To elaborate further on how the Qi of the meridians acts on enzymes, common functional groups in enzyme molecules include -NH₂ and -COOH. When atoms in these molecules, such as N and C, accept Qi, their electron energy levels increase, their electron clouds change, and the conformation of the enzyme molecule, composed of proteins, changes accordingly. This enhances the binding ability of the enzyme to its substrate, increases enzyme reactivity, and produces biological effects.

(III) Meridian System and Qigong

Qigong is divided into soft and hard qigong, and internal and external qigong. Different types of qigong manifest in different forms, but their essence is the transmission of energy. Practicing qigong requires perseverance and guiding qi with intention. Long-term training in this way makes the release of energy in cells more regular and orderly. Qi circulates in the meridians, producing meridian phenomena. From the perspective of energy transmission, it is not difficult to explain the three commonalities of meridian phenomena. (1) The sensation of soreness, numbness, heaviness and distension along the meridian conduction is the result of energy (electricity, magnetism) acting on the nerve endings along the way. (2) The phenomenon of meridian sensation transmission blockage can include reflection, bypassing and superposition, which is the result of energy dissipation. (3) When acupuncture points cause deep receptors to be excited and release bioelectricity, then the sensation of soreness, numbness, heaviness and distension appears, that is, the qi of the meridian is conducted along the meridian. When acupuncture points are needled, the attention of the person being needled is naturally focused on the needle point, releasing a certain amount of energy. Combined with the basic conduction state of the meridian, there can be obvious sensation transmission or latent sensation transmission.

"True Qi" exists in every tissue and organ of the human body, circulating throughout the entire body. It is the material basis for the formation of the human body, the material foundation for maintaining human life activities, and has the function of resisting pathogenic factors. This is why experienced Qigong practitioners highly value the training of the "Dantian" and "Dantian Qi." Generally, it refers to the "lower Dantian," that is, the lower abdomen. Located at the center of the body, its area includes acupoints such as "Guanyuan," "Qihai," "Shenque," and "Mingmen," naturally encompassing the functions of these acupoints and the function of "kidney Qi." It is the starting point for the circulation of Qi in the Ren, Du, and Chong meridians, and the pivot for the ascent, descent, opening, and movement of "True Qi"; it is also the place where men lose semen and women nurture the fetus; it is the main site for gathering and storing "True Qi." Qigong emphasizes the cultivation of "Dantian Qi," gradually accumulating and storing "true Qi" in the Dantian area. By making the Dantian Qi abundant and vigorous, it can mobilize the body's potential, creating conditions for the "true Qi" to flow smoothly along the Ren and Du meridians and collaterals, thereby achieving the goals of disease prevention, treatment, longevity, and improved intelligence. This is an ancient saying, and it has some merit.

How does modern knowledge explain this? "True Qi" is the energy produced by cellular metabolism, and the "Dantian" is the center of the human body. Energy generated by cellular metabolism throughout the body is more easily concentrated in the center. The centers of the sun and the earth are places where heat energy is concentrated. Of course, we cannot dogmatically compare them to the human body. The concentration of energy involves two factors: one is natural concentration factors, and the other is through the assistance of the nervous system, i.e., focused intention. Energy gathered in the Dantian can be transmitted through the meridians, acting on the whole body to prevent and treat diseases. Body temperature is a form of energy manifestation and can reflect certain issues. It has been found that in highly complex environments, the body temperature of an exposed human body remains stable between 36.7 and 37.8°C, and it continuously radiates infrared rays with wavelengths of 5 to 50 micrometers. Furthermore, normal body temperature is symmetrical from left to right, similar to the meridian system. If this symmetry is disrupted, certain corresponding parts of the body will inevitably develop diseases. Japanese scientists have discovered that as long as the temperature difference between corresponding acupoints on the left and right sides of the body is 0.5°C, a person will clearly feel illness.

The exact form of Qi (vital energy) within the body is not yet fully understood, but in recent years, research has been conducted on the "external Qi" emitted from meridians and acupoints. It is believed that this "external Qi" is material, and some have measured infrared radiation or a stream of particles using instruments. The Institute of Acoustics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has detected infrasound. Therefore, the material forms of "external Qi" are diverse, but ultimately they can all be attributed to energy produced by cells. Because Qigong practitioners concentrate energy in local tissues, this energy interacts with the existing energy state to produce forms such as infrared radiation, particle streams, mechanical waves, and electromagnetic waves. Due to differences in training methods and the energy state of Qigong practitioners, sometimes electromagnetic waves are released primarily, while at other times low-frequency modulated infrared radiation is emitted primarily.

(IV) Meridian System and Cancer

In essence, the meridian system is the energy transfer within a structure composed of biological macromolecules containing certain elements. Under normal circumstances, the meridian system exists and performs certain functions, existing in a basic meridian state. At this time, the body's cells are in a low-level (or primary) ordered state. These ordered cells can adapt to their surroundings; when metabolic energy production is high, it is channeled into the meridians; when their own energy production is low, they can draw energy from the meridians. A unified relationship of control and dependence exists between the meridians and each cell. Qigong practice can enhance cellular order, allowing cells to reach a higher level of ordered state.

What happens to the body when cancer develops? Cancer occurs in an organism at a lower level of order, where the basic state of the meridians cannot control the rampant proliferation of cancer cells. Only by strengthening the basic state of the meridians and bringing more body cells into a higher level of order can cancer cells be controlled (or eliminated), allowing them to transform into normal cells. A decrease in the activity of certain glycosyltransferases on the cell surface can cause significant changes in cell surface properties and growth behavior, as these enzymes participate in cell contact inhibition and control of growth and proliferation. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) plays a crucial role in regulating cell membrane surface activity, cell proliferation, and differentiation, and its concentration depends on the balance between cyclases and phosphodiesterases. The meridians may regulate the activity of all of these enzymes.

The Tian Xizhi et al. biocrystal hypothesis posits that cancer arises from a phase transition in which normal biocrystals or other organic substances within the body transform into a new, non-reversible type of abnormal biocrystal. Cancer treatment involves removing impurities from cancer cells, restoring their composition to that of normal cells in the same location. This involves stimulating the electrons within the biocrystals of cancer cells to a normal state, and then controlling the temperature of the cancerous area within the unstable range of the biocrystals. In this way, the cancer can gradually transform into normal tissue. A key aspect of this is the energy requirement; ideally, the organism's own energy should be used.

American scholars have proposed a theory linking electrobiology to cancer, which also connects to the issue of energy. Effective utilization of energy within the meridian system can transform diseased organs into normal ones. Qigong can activate the basic state of the meridians, concentrating the body's metabolic energy to destroy or induce cancer cells. Acupuncture can also stimulate the meridian system, restoring the body to health.