Follow your mind, and your body will follow — for better or for worse. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have found a direct corollary between negative thoughts and the immune system.
Until recently, researchers have mainly looked for a connection between brain activity and general health. But some recent studies have noted the connections between mental activity and effects on a person’s physical health.
Although many scientists still believe that emotions have little to do with the body, the UW study concentrates on the relation between the psychology of a human being and the biological effects. This is one of the first studies to directly connect the brain and the immune system.
“This is the first study that puts the brain into the equation,” said Dr. Richard Davidson, professor of psychology and a senior author of the report. Davidson worked with many UW faculty and staff members, graduate students and one person outside of UW.
Fifty-two women aged 57 to 60 were selected from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, a long-term study of more than 10,000 individuals who attended Wisconsin high schools and graduated in 1957 to participate in the study.
The researchers told the women to think and write about either extremely positive or extremely negative life experiences. The researchers measured and recorded activity in the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that exhibits electrical responses to positive and negative thoughts and reactions. Earlier research showed the right side of the prefrontal cortex is associated with negative emotions and the left side associated with positive emotions. After this activity, the participants were then given a flu vaccine.
After a period of six months, the participants gave a serum sample that was tested for antibodies. Participants with the highest activity on the right side of the prefrontal cortex had the fewest influenza antibodies, and the participants with the most activity on the left side showed the largest amount of antibodies.
It is not entirely clear to the researchers if other factors, such as environmental influences or genetic history, contributed to the response of the immune system that accompanied the positive and negative emotions.
Davidson, however, is sure of the validity of this study.
“This study shows that the brain can influence the immune system,” Davidson said.
In an unrelated study, Davidson said that some simple meditation has shown the immune system to make an overall healthier and faster response. Meditation has been shown to reduce the activity in the right side of the prefrontal cortex.
Many new steps may be taken in the new field of connecting the brain and the immune system.
“The study is being followed up in a few different ways,” Davidson said. Davidson said that more research will go along the same line of seeing what other modalities the brain can influence the immune system.
Research is now taking place that has to do with the effects of anti-depressants have on a person’s mood, and therefore, his or her health.
