The lymphatic system
4. Movement-related pump. Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, lymph moves thanks to muscle activity and breathing. This means that immobility (long periods of sitting, little movement) slows down the flow of lymph and can cause a “feeling of heaviness” in the body.
5. Connection with the nervous and hormonal systems. Lymph is very sensitive to stress – chronic stress can inhibit lymph circulation and weaken the immune system. Some scientists see the lymphatic system as a kind of “cleaning network”, which also helps maintain hormone balance.
6. The brain has its own lymphatic system. Only recently was the so-called glymphatic system discovered – the brain’s “lymph network” that cleans waste products from the brain during sleep at night. This connection explains why poor sleep is associated with the risk of neurological diseases.
