Attitude and Immunity: Do Bad Thoughts Make Us Sick?
By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (November 13, 2003)—Negative emotional responses to particular events and negative thoughts appear to suppress the immune response to influenza virus, according to a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2003;100:11148–52). The new study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that negative thoughts and emotions may lower immune function and lead to more frequent illness.
In the new study, 52 healthy adults between the ages of 57 and 60 years were vaccinated with influenza virus vaccine. Levels of antibodies to influenza virus were measured initially and at two, four and six months after receiving the vaccine. Prior to measuring antibody levels, participants were asked to recall an extremely positive or negative experience in their lives and then write about it for five minutes. Electroencephalograms (EEGs, which measure brain wave activity) and startle reflex (eyes closing to a loud noise) were performed on each person shortly after this exercise. The emotional attitude (affect) of the individual was reflected by whether the person wrote about a positive or negative event.
Those with a negative affect were found to have a larger startle reflex and overall lower antibody responses to influenza virus compared with those with a positive affect. The greater the startle magnitude, the lower the antibody level. The EEG pattern in the negative affect individuals showed a specific part of the brain (right-prefrontal cortex) was more active, compared with those with a positive affect who had greater activity in a different part of the brain (left-prefrontal cortex). Although the relationship between brain wave activity and immunity is not clear, the findings suggest that certain parts of the brain may play a role in activating the immune response.
Studies have clearly demonstrated that thoughts, emotions, and attitude can affect how the body responds to stressful events and infection. However, the biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved are poorly understood. One study showed that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is associated with a diminished immune response to influenza virus, poor wound healing, and increases in proinflammatory chemicals in the body. Other studies suggest anxiety and emotional stress may cause a decrease in natural killer cell activity. (Killer cells are one of the first responders in infection and help eradicate cells that start to change and become cancerous.)
The immune system is a complicated web of organs, cells, and chemicals that is carefully orchestrated to protect the body against foreign particles and microbes. While more research is clearly needed to clarify these intricate interactions, having a good attitude may be an important key to better health.
Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.
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