Psychoneuroimmunology

Psychoneuroimmunology is an extremely important emerging field in the area of health. It is the study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human body. It incorporates psychology, neuroscience, immunology, rheumatology, pharmacology, endocrinology, physiology, infectious diseases, behavioral medicine, molecular biology, and psychiatry.

The interaction of the immune and nervous systems coupled with the relationship between health and mental processes is what drives this model. It also has been called psychoendoneuroimmunology.

Background

This started with Walter Cannon who was a professor of physiology at Harvard University. In his 1932 book, “Wisdom of the Body”, he coined the term Homeostasis. He studied the relationship between emotions and perceptions on the autonomic nervous system. This resulted in the recognition of the fight or flight response. Dr. Hans Selye followed up on his work.

Robert Ader and Nicholas Cohen in 1975 at the University of Rochester coined the term “psychoneuroimmunology”. Ader was a psychologist and Cohen an immunologist, and they demonstrated one of the first scientific results that the nervous system can affect the immune system. It was ultimately demonstrated that the brain and immune system represent an integrated defense system.

In 1985 Candace Pert, a neuropharmacologist, was able to show that emotions and immunology are interdependent. This has impacted how we understand both disease and emotions.

Major Impact

All of this has had a major impact on the health profession. Without getting too scientific, much of this research on psychoneuroimmunology will affect the treatment of anxiety-related disorders, chronic infections, autoimmunity, depression, schizophrenia symptoms, as well as mania and bipolar disease.

Sufficient data exists that immune modulation by psychosocial interventions can absolutely lead to health changes. There is a definite link between stress and disease. It affects the immune system through anger, sadness, fear, tension, and anxiety. Effective parenting requires an awareness of this.

When stress is chronic the system breaks down and is unable to maintain homeostasis or equilibrium. Positive emotional experiences boost the immune system. There is no doubt that children require positive role models, and the opportunity to fully express themselves in areas that they are most passionate. The body does reflect what we experience both mentally and emotionally. Check out this website for additional information on psychoneuroimmunology.

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SBI!