Thoughts, Emotions and The Immune System
Can thoughts and emotions really affect the immune system? Intuitively, we all know this is possible but is there any science to back this up?
It has long been established in Traditional Chinese Medicine and more recently in Pycho-Neuro-Immunology (PNI) that emotional dynamics can either perpetuate or ameliorate our physical health problems. Coined by Bob Ader in the 1980’s while doing immune conditioning in rat experiments, PNI is simply the science that investigates the connection between body, brain and mind.
We now know that not only is there a bidirectional communication system between the immune system and the brain, there is also bidirectional communication between the brain and the endocrine system, and the brain and the gut. This means that communication happens both ways rather than being top down from brain to body.
The messenger molecules that link these systems are called neuropeptides. Dr. Candace Pert was the first to call these messenger molecules the “molecules of emotion.” Neuropeptides are now considered the material equivalent of thoughts. Whenever we think, imagine, laugh or have an emotional reaction, we make neuropeptides that bind to and communicate with our immune cells.
Laughter is known to increase endorphins (part of the larger class of neuropeptides) which balance the immune system, while anger, fear and shame may trigger inflammation.
The take away is that we need to laugh more and learn how to use our thoughts wisely especially if they cause any distress and exacerbation of symptoms. Luckily there is mindful introspection and meditation to help you do this. If this is a topic that interests you, be sure to check out my book, If The Buddha Had an Autoimmune Disease: The Shocking Truth about The Self and The End of Suffering, where we explore scientifically proven ways to investigate and change our thoughts and beliefs to heal the immune system.
