Which emotional factor affects both the Kidneys and the Heart?

The emotional factor that affects both the Kidneys and the Heart is shock or fright. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotions are closely linked to organ health, and shock or fright has a direct relationship with both the Heart and the Kidneys.

When a person experiences shock or fright, it can disturb the Heart's function, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, palpitations, or insomnia. At the same time, this intense emotional experience can weaken the Kidneys, which are believed to be the source of vitality and essence in the body. The Kidneys hold the body's reserves and control the flow of Qi, so any disruption caused by shock can diminish kidney function, potentially leading to conditions such as fatigue or decreased resistance to stress.

This dual impact underscores the interconnectedness of emotional and physical health in TCM, demonstrating how a single emotional experience can have cascading effects on multiple organ systems. The other emotional factors have more specific associations; joy primarily impacts the Heart, anger is linked to the Liver, and pensiveness relates more to the Spleen.