ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the readers to characterize the link between social structure, mind, and body through a discussion of population-level variations in allostatic load and its effects, characterize the link between culture, mind, and body through discussion of diverse culture-bound syndromes. It explains how cultural models are used in interpreting, experiencing, treating, and even generating certain disease states and characterizes the link between culture, mind, and body through discussion of the meaning response in terms of self healing. The chapter explores the chronic stress and its diversely distributed causes and effects. It talks about the stress response that entails reactions of the nervous system, such as when the brain releases certain neurotransmitters; the hormonal system, which releases stress hormones; and the immune system, in which some parts go on hold so that energy can be diverted to protect oneself from whatever the stressor may be.
