Mickey Rourke: Getting it Right

"Wins Globe, Thanks Dogs" screamed headlines around the world.

Although I am sure this was not a publicity seeking move, it became the single most important story to come of this year's Golden Globe award ceremony. Perhaps even bigger than his blockbuster performance!

"I'd like to thank all my dogs. The ones that are here, the ones that aren't here anymore because sometimes when a man's alone, that's all you got is your dog. And they've meant the world to me," said Mickey Rourke as he accepted the well-deserved award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama.

The Comeback King sent a real wake up call to people everywhere, who realized that our companion animals really are our best friends, regardless of whether we are on the top or hitting the bottom.

After seeing him with one of the best dressed babes to walk the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in years last September, (his 16 year-old Chihuahua- terrier mix, Loki) you would think no one would be surprised by his speech -- but his heartfelt expression of love and gratitude to his dogs took the world by storm.

Tension Tamers

"She's like a giant Xanax, you know? I'm not going to get religious on your ass, but I truly believe God created dogs for a cause. They are the greatest companions a man could ever have," Says Mickey.

And he has got that right, too.

Hundreds of studies have proven beyond a doubt that owning a loving, non-judgmental companion animal is good for you, mentally, physically, and emotionally. The simple stroking of a dog or cat has been proven to lower heart rate, decrease stress and anxiety, and lower respiratory rate and blood pressure. Even watching fish in an aquarium creates similar effects. It is both soothing and meditative.

As a physician, whose main area of research is preventing and reversing many of the degenerative conditions associated with "normal" aging, I know the dangers of stress. In fact, stress is responsible for accelerated aging in all of our organ systems.

As a dermatologist, I can unequivocally state that stress is also the precipitator of a great many skin problems; in fact, these problems often have their roots in the psyche. This can include everything from acne to eczema, rosacea to psoriasis and worse. Unfortunately normal day-to-day interactions with our partners and children can be stressful - no matter how much we love them.

I've said this in my books, but I can't say it often enough: one of my favorite, all-time ways to relieve stress is to spend time with my dog. Not only does Peanut make me laugh with his spunky personality and antics, his unstinting devotion and loyalty are always heart-warming and validating.

The Real Healing Power of Pets -- How it Works

The skin is characterized by abundant nerve endings whose role is to provide information to the brain. It is also composed of many different types of cells, such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, as well as messengers such as hormones, neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters. When the skin is challenged by an environmental stressor such as the sun or by physical or mental stress, its responsibility is to provide information to all of the other organ systems in our bodies.

In other words, the skin can function very much like the brain or the endocrine system, in providing important data to the body. The skin is much more than just a protective barrier; it also has receptor sites for all the different types of messengers mentioned above. This means that the skin can not only transmit messages throughout the body, it can also receive messages by way of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, hormones and nerve impulses.

By just stimulating the skin, you can actually change the chemistry in your brain. This is why the simple act of petting a dog or cat, does so much to lower stress. This is a proven a biochemical process and not all in your mind.

But it is all in your brain!

An Ounce of Prevention

In today's collapsing health care system, it is critical that we find cures for the many diseases that plague our modern society. From Alzheimer's to diabetes, obesity, depression, cancer and heart disease, we are assaulted on many fronts.

However, the search for cures is not the only way to approach the problem of disease. Prevention, even in as tiny increments of an ounce, is worth the proverbial pound of cure.

A loving companion animal can keep you happy and healthy both mentally and physically. And is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding ways we have to ensure a long, healthy and happy life.

Rescue Me and Gimme Shelter

With our stress levels at an all time high, we should take a page out of Mickey's book. We can save two precious lives (both our and theirs) when we adopt a loving pet from the local shelter.

Thanks, Mickey for two great inspiring performances. And don't miss The Wrestler, coming soon to a theater near you.

As an active researcher, I welcome your comments, suggestions and personal experiences.

Comments

[gigi26]

I completely agree. I live alone and though I don't own a pet, I dog sit for my friends every chance I get. Having a furry companion to watch movies with on the couch and and take long walks downtown really helped me enjoy the holidays!

[neke]

I second the sentiment here. I have found just looking at my son's fish tank under its light in the dark is incredibly soothing and a great way to end the day. We also have a few cats. Already my 4 year old girl spends time petting and holding the cat when she gets home from pre-school every day. There's no doubt something to this.

[openhighway]

What Dr. Perricone presented here is some of the real reasons how these acupuncture works. Also, all sorts of massage and acupressure therapy, too. Not only these things, the different depths of insertion of needles on the skin stimulate and manipulate our energy system in our body differently,like whether it is a subtle energy field only on the surface of the skin which is on cutaneous level or whether it is an energy channel in deeper parts within the skin. In our traditional medicine, we use terms like living energy, chi or ki energy, but I think if we interpret it into western modern medical words, it's actually including stimulating or manipulating different chemicals in our body, like as Dr. Perricone mentioned, neurotransmitter, neuropeptide hormones and so on. Once acupuncture is performed and trigger communications of these living chemicals and active messengers, they get into in touch with our brain almost simultaneously.

One more very important thing to point out is the skin acts like a middle bridge between our physical body and our energy body which is surrounding our physical body, I believe. I think all those chemicals Dr. Perricone mentioned works for even in this communication between energy body and physical body as well!!! Having pets and interaction with them either through actual touching or emotional and mental companion, is working on this both physical body and energy body for both benefits of human and his or her companion pet.
Thank you, Dr. Perricone. Excellent article, again!

[mapoleaf]

Congratulations to Mickey for publicly acknowledging the important role of his companion animals; you speak for millions and I admire you for your candour. Thanks to Dr. Perricone for the scientific lowdown on how our pets can affect us at such a basic level. In our home of several rescue cats we certainly experience this first-hand with our brood. Through their playfulness, serenity, calm, and unique personalities they show us how much Goodness the universe is capable of creating. We owe our animal friends a debt of gratitude and loving care--and help.