What We Now Know

We've tested the human frame for centuries now. We've used physics, chemistry and biology and everything in between. And the conclusions have multiplied, so that everyone has an opinion about everything.

What do we now know? We know that the body and its functions are complex. Those functions include mind, emotion, and a sense of self. They also include self-correcting mechanisms and all kinds of amazing metabolic powers.

But, as Paracelsus said, Alle Ding' sind Gift, und nichts ohn' Gift; allein die Dosis macht, daß ein Ding kein Gift ist. That is, "All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; only the dose permits something not to be poisonous."

There are only three general rules about the body, it seems: 1) use it often, do not spare it, but rest it when you can; 2) use it in many ways, but occasionally do specific things with intensity; 3) everything can be taken in small doses, and some in large doses, but if you feel full, that's bad.

This applies to every organ of the body, generally. The brain is probably the main exception to Rule One because it never really rests. But you can spare it from certain kinds of brain-cell destroying stress, like being hit in the head repeatedly or being exposed to extremely bright lights or loud sounds (see Rule Three).

So, what do we now know? We know a lot about specific things, but the big picture remains the same after many years. Paracelsus laughs at us.