The mind and chronic inflammation
Recent research has revealed that certain social, environmental and lifestyle factors, including psychological stress, can promote systemic chronic inflammation that can, in turn, lead to diseases that represent the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders [Furman et al., 2019]. The association between chronic disease and inflammation is widely recognized. Healthcare systems are buckling due to the cost of treating a worldwide population burdened by these chronic health problems.
Psychological stress also leads to inflammation in the brain. This can impact the regulation of mood and cognition, with possible connections to Alzheimer’s disease.
Psychological stress induces many of the same inflammatory signals as injury and disease. This raises questions: How and why does mental stress activate inflammation?
Related Posts
Whence the Rise of Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmune diseases are spreading rapidly across the globe. In the US alone, estimates suggest that some 50 million people live with one or more of the more than a hundred autoimmune conditions, and worldwide, the prevalence is climbing year after year. This blog explores how diet, stress, meaning, and mind-body unity intersect to shed light Read the full article…
Mental Support and the Immune System
In a recent review, psychosocial interventions were associated with positive changes over time. This review was a comprehensive meta-analysis of 56 unique randomized clinical trials involving 4060 participants. [1] Immune improvements (14% increase in beneficial functions and 18% decrease in harmful functions) persisted for at least six months post-treatment. This is noteworthy, especially when compared Read the full article…
Does the Mind Influence Immunotherapy Effectiveness?
Immunotherapy stands among the most promising breakthroughs in modern medicine, teaching the immune system to heal with precision and purpose. Yet not every patient responds equally, even under the same biological conditions. Could the patient’s inner world – trust, openness, meaning – play a role in how well the therapy works? In exploring therapeutic congruence, Read the full article…