Majja Dhatu Disorders

Majja dhatu disorders can be described in terms of quantitative changes (vruddhi — increase, and kshaya — decrease) or qualitative changes caused by each dosha (dushti). Kapha is responsible for increased majja dhatu, while either vata or pitta may be responsible for decreased majja dhatu. Dushti can be mono-doshic, dual-doshic, or tri-doshic.

When vata becomes hyperactive in majja dhatu, it creates neurological problems: anguish, anxiety, nervousness, causeless fear, fear of the unknown, insomnia, tingling and numbness, muscle twitching, nervous twitching of the eyelids, cold hands and feet, dizziness, and loss of coordination. If prana vayu is affected, an upper motor neuron type of lesion develops leading to hypertonia (rigidity and increased muscle tone). If apana vayu is affected, a lower motor neuron type of lesion produces hypotonia (flaccidity). Both rigidity and flaccidity are symptoms of vata involvement.

When vata affects the frontal area of the brain, schizophrenia may develop — the vata type presenting with anxiety, anguish, hyperactivity, and auditory or olfactory hallucinations. Disturbance of prana is another factor: when the GI tract is clogged with ama (toxins) or heavy food from late eating blocks prana flow, nightmares result. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep represents an extremely high vata condition, with a direct connection between speed of thinking and speed of eyeball movement.