Truth and lies - How they affect your health
Introduction
Each day, we have to make the same choice umpteen times: whether to lie or tell the truth. And most often we lie oblivious of the fact that even the smallest lies can affect us in a harmful manner. That’s why the ancient Indian scriptures preach-
“Nanruta bruyat” [One should not tell a lie.]
What is a lie?
A lie is a false statement deliberately presented as being true. In simple words as per Ayurveda, anything said that is opposite of Truth is a lie.
But how many of us choose not to lie at all?
A study conducted on this subject makes an interesting observation on the frequency of lies in our daily conversations. In a 2002 study by Robert Feldman of the University of Massachusetts, it was found that on an average, people told two to three lies in a ten-minute conversation. Needless to say, the report reflects more or less a global trend.
Why do people lie?
People lie because they are fearful of the consequences of telling the truth. Mostly they are afraid of being punished, feeling embarrassed or losing face, status etc.
Also people lie to manipulate others.
And while they are lying, they think that they are protecting themselves. But in fact they are wrong as per the observations of Arthur Markman (Ph.D.), the executive editor of the journal - Cognitive Science. Arthur Markman has presented a minute-wise observation [one minute – seventy two hours] of the harmful effects that follow immediately after telling a lie.
Effects within first one minute of lying:
Lying results in release of cortisol into the brain and even adrenaline rush. Consequently, heartbeat quickens, pupils dilate and sweating occurs. It leads to the fight-or-flight response as you gear up to defend yourself.
Effects within first five minutes of lying:
The brain has to keep track of both the truth and the lie, which is very taxing for your working memory. This increased workload results in your brain’s inability to make smart decisions.
Effects within first ten minutes of lying:
You could become angry, especially towards the person you lied to. You lash out in order to shift the focus off your deception or dishonesty onto something else. Alternatively, you may also feel compelled to explain your actions.
Effects within first thirty minutes of lying:
As the stress hormones get dissipated, you may feel worried. Consequently, you may become very apologetic or sweet to the person you lied to. You may even demonize him in order to feel superior and to justify your lie.
Effects within first twenty four hours of lying:
Habitual liars ‘live the lie’ for twenty four hours and may even forget what the truth was. But for casual liars, they may feel something called negative effect and avoid situations or people connected with it.
Effects within first seventy two hours of lying:
Chronic anxiety resulting from circulation of stress hormones [like cortisol] in your brain hurts your ability to think clearly. It also depresses your immune system leading to susceptibility to cold and sleeplessness. You experience negative emotions long after it. While these harmful responses eventually fade, they could re-appear again if you feel that your lie may be exposed.
Besides Arthur Markman’s observations, modern findings also show that the liar’s constant worries lead to anxiety. This anxiety results in ulcers, headache, sleepless nights and paranoia.
We know one lie leads to another; and the liar, trapped in his lies, gets excessive stress. Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems and can decrease longevity.
Effects after first seventy two hours of lying:
If you wish to know whether the harmful effects of lying can last even longer than seventy two hours or even more, Ayurveda has an answer. And the answer is yes!
According to Maharishi Charak, each lie, whether big or small, leads to Pragnyaparadha or offense against wisdom which gives rise to diseases. We have to suffer from these diseases either in this birth or the next or even both, until the person is entirely freed from the harmful effects of lying. [Ayurveda believes in re-birth until the soul attains Moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.]
What is the solution?
As they say prevention is better than cure, so to immune oneself from the diseases arising out of speaking lies is – not to lie at all!
The ancient Indian scriptures say-
Speak the truth and practice the rules of conduct.
Also they emphasize upon speaking sweetly, not telling bitter truths and not telling sweet lies [white lies] either. As per Ayurvedic scriptures, speaking truth is one of the Sad Vritta or right conducts, by the regular practice of which one gets good health and longevity.
Are we not supposed to lie at all?
Yes we can lie, but under specific circumstances. Lie can be told only to save someone’s life as per the guidelines of the ancient scriptures. Ayurveda also says that there is no other gift greater than gift of life.
Why should we speak the truth?
We should speak the truth because it has got many benefits. It’s a lot easier to remember the truth than to remember the details of a lie. By being truthful, you’ll sleep better, eat healthier and consequently, you’ll live better.
As per Yoga Sutra of Maharishi Patanjali, the ancient book on Yoga, by constant practice of speaking truth one gets vak-siddhi i.e. whatever he speaks, turns to be true.
We have had a long journey to become humans [call it evolution or mythological theory of numerous births in the form of countless species] and this habit of lying actually comes from lower species. Many plants and animals deceive others around them in order to get ahead in life. But, our ultimate aim in life is perfection as a human being or attaining Moksha, which can only be accomplished, if we shed these accumulated animal instincts. Ayurveda says that Yoga helps us to achieve Moksha. And the first step of Yoga begins with the practice of non-violence and speaking truth.
Each day, we have to make the same choice umpteen times: whether to lie or tell the truth. And most often we lie oblivious of the fact that even the smallest lies can affect us in a harmful manner. That’s why the ancient Indian scriptures preach-
“Nanruta bruyat” [One should not tell a lie.]
What is a lie?
A lie is a false statement deliberately presented as being true. In simple words as per Ayurveda, anything said that is opposite of Truth is a lie.
But how many of us choose not to lie at all?
A study conducted on this subject makes an interesting observation on the frequency of lies in our daily conversations. In a 2002 study by Robert Feldman of the University of Massachusetts, it was found that on an average, people told two to three lies in a ten-minute conversation. Needless to say, the report reflects more or less a global trend.
Why do people lie?
People lie because they are fearful of the consequences of telling the truth. Mostly they are afraid of being punished, feeling embarrassed or losing face, status etc.
Also people lie to manipulate others.
And while they are lying, they think that they are protecting themselves. But in fact they are wrong as per the observations of Arthur Markman (Ph.D.), the executive editor of the journal - Cognitive Science. Arthur Markman has presented a minute-wise observation [one minute – seventy two hours] of the harmful effects that follow immediately after telling a lie.
Effects within first one minute of lying:
Lying results in release of cortisol into the brain and even adrenaline rush. Consequently, heartbeat quickens, pupils dilate and sweating occurs. It leads to the fight-or-flight response as you gear up to defend yourself.
Effects within first five minutes of lying:
The brain has to keep track of both the truth and the lie, which is very taxing for your working memory. This increased workload results in your brain’s inability to make smart decisions.
Effects within first ten minutes of lying:
You could become angry, especially towards the person you lied to. You lash out in order to shift the focus off your deception or dishonesty onto something else. Alternatively, you may also feel compelled to explain your actions.
Effects within first thirty minutes of lying:
As the stress hormones get dissipated, you may feel worried. Consequently, you may become very apologetic or sweet to the person you lied to. You may even demonize him in order to feel superior and to justify your lie.
Effects within first twenty four hours of lying:
Habitual liars ‘live the lie’ for twenty four hours and may even forget what the truth was. But for casual liars, they may feel something called negative effect and avoid situations or people connected with it.
Effects within first seventy two hours of lying:
Chronic anxiety resulting from circulation of stress hormones [like cortisol] in your brain hurts your ability to think clearly. It also depresses your immune system leading to susceptibility to cold and sleeplessness. You experience negative emotions long after it. While these harmful responses eventually fade, they could re-appear again if you feel that your lie may be exposed.
Besides Arthur Markman’s observations, modern findings also show that the liar’s constant worries lead to anxiety. This anxiety results in ulcers, headache, sleepless nights and paranoia.
We know one lie leads to another; and the liar, trapped in his lies, gets excessive stress. Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems and can decrease longevity.
Effects after first seventy two hours of lying:
If you wish to know whether the harmful effects of lying can last even longer than seventy two hours or even more, Ayurveda has an answer. And the answer is yes!
According to Maharishi Charak, each lie, whether big or small, leads to Pragnyaparadha or offense against wisdom which gives rise to diseases. We have to suffer from these diseases either in this birth or the next or even both, until the person is entirely freed from the harmful effects of lying. [Ayurveda believes in re-birth until the soul attains Moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.]
What is the solution?
As they say prevention is better than cure, so to immune oneself from the diseases arising out of speaking lies is – not to lie at all!
The ancient Indian scriptures say-
Speak the truth and practice the rules of conduct.
Also they emphasize upon speaking sweetly, not telling bitter truths and not telling sweet lies [white lies] either. As per Ayurvedic scriptures, speaking truth is one of the Sad Vritta or right conducts, by the regular practice of which one gets good health and longevity.
Are we not supposed to lie at all?
Yes we can lie, but under specific circumstances. Lie can be told only to save someone’s life as per the guidelines of the ancient scriptures. Ayurveda also says that there is no other gift greater than gift of life.
Why should we speak the truth?
We should speak the truth because it has got many benefits. It’s a lot easier to remember the truth than to remember the details of a lie. By being truthful, you’ll sleep better, eat healthier and consequently, you’ll live better.
As per Yoga Sutra of Maharishi Patanjali, the ancient book on Yoga, by constant practice of speaking truth one gets vak-siddhi i.e. whatever he speaks, turns to be true.
We have had a long journey to become humans [call it evolution or mythological theory of numerous births in the form of countless species] and this habit of lying actually comes from lower species. Many plants and animals deceive others around them in order to get ahead in life. But, our ultimate aim in life is perfection as a human being or attaining Moksha, which can only be accomplished, if we shed these accumulated animal instincts. Ayurveda says that Yoga helps us to achieve Moksha. And the first step of Yoga begins with the practice of non-violence and speaking truth.
And once you realize these facts, you will never resort to lying again.
Conclusion
Speaking truth gives us peace of mind, happiness, good health and longevity. Lying, on the contrary, is not beneficial for our health. When it is impossible to pass just a simple academic test by telling lies, how can we hope to pass the much tougher test called life with the help of lies? So to lie or not to lie that is the question.
Satyameva Jayate | Nanrutam ||
[Truth alone triumphs; not falsehood]
Conclusion
Speaking truth gives us peace of mind, happiness, good health and longevity. Lying, on the contrary, is not beneficial for our health. When it is impossible to pass just a simple academic test by telling lies, how can we hope to pass the much tougher test called life with the help of lies? So to lie or not to lie that is the question.
Satyameva Jayate | Nanrutam ||
[Truth alone triumphs; not falsehood]
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