A QUICK GUIDE TO THE HUMAN AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM IBM chose well when naming their new initiative of self-healing, self-configuring, and self-protecting systems. We would not be able to live healthy normal lives if it were not for our internal autonomic nervous system (ANS). This silent guardian is working constantly to ensure that the body is stable and performing at optimum levels. The human nervous system is divided into the voluntary and involuntary systems. You control the voluntary system. For example, when you feel something uncomfortable, such as pain, heat or bright light, you can choose to move away from it or react to it in some fashion, normally defensive. The involuntary system—which is the autonomic nervous system—handles actions over which you have no control, such as heartbeat, digestion, circulation, and glandular function. Although it is located in your physical body, the ANS is affected by everyday emotions. For example, when you feel fear, that emotion will be translated into a physical response—the release of the hormone adrenaline—that will increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and digestive processes. This process is managed and controlled by your ANS. The ANS is very complex. In keeping with the goals of this book, however, we are going to present it as simply as possible. The ANS runs throughout the entire body. It originates from the spinal column and is connected to every gland and organ. See Figure 1.2. Figure 1.2. An illustration of the human ANS and some of the features automatically regulated by this system. Note that everything originates at the spine. 
The ANS is divided into further subsystems: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). A third division, the metasympathetic system (MNS) is related to the central nervous system in the brain. Put very simply, the SNS tends to speed up responses in our muscles and organs to help us adapt to stress, while the PNS slows down those responses. When these systems are in balance, after a high stress response, the PNS will help to calm you down. It is known in modern terms as the "flight or fight" response. Under conditions of balance, the SNS turns on organ responses to high levels of environmental stress. When the stressful conditions are removed, the PNS turns on to restore balance within your organ systems. Under conditions of imbalance, the SNS may be turned on for long periods of time, and the PNS may be turned on as well. This is like having your foot on the accelerator pedal and the brake at the same time. The ANS system is a marvel of bodily management. If it is running well, you will feel well. The autonomic nervous system is always working, never resting or going offline. Even when you are sleeping, it continues to manage bodily functions. It is NOT only active during "fight or flight" or "rest and digest" situations. Rather, the ANS acts to maintain normal internal functions and works with the rest of the nervous system. Most important of all, the ANS does its work without any conscious recognition. This allows you to think and act the way you want. It simply says: "Don't worry about it. I've got it covered." This is precisely the approach we need to build future business computing systems. |
