A Functional Interpretation of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (HSP): A Hypothesis Based on Oriental Medicine Neurodynamics (OMN™)

Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a temperamental trait characterised by deeper processing of environmental stimuli, heightened emotional reactivity, and a tendency toward overarousal. Within the framework of Oriental Medicine Neurodynamics (OMN™), this paper proposes a functional interpretation of SPS as a constitutional vulnerability of the Heart Qi (心気虚) and its associated consolidating function (固, Ko) — the boundary-regulation capacity that filters environmental input and maintains internal homeostasis. A congenital weakness of this function may account for the core features of SPS: heightened stimulus sensitivity, depth of emotional processing, and chronic overarousal. The HSS-type HSP (High Sensation Seeking variant) is differentially positioned within the Wood Qi Bipolar Model (木気二極モデル™) as a pattern of Gallbladder Qi hyperactivation. This paper is presented as a conceptual position paper rather than an empirically validated model.