One important aspect of physical health is our human immunity system. To examine whether psychology can be used to improve the human immunity system, we can go to the relatively new field called PsychoNeuroImmunology for some answers.
PsychoNeuroImmunology (PNI)
American psychiatrist Robert Ader is the father of PsychoNeuroImmunology (PNI), the study of the connection between the brain and the immune system. PNI addresses the link between psychological experiences, such as stress and anxiety, and human immunity function, which protects our bodies against attacks by invaders that have gained access into our bodies.
Research results have shown that psychosocial factors do influence susceptibility to disease, and studies have begun to show a link between the mind and the immune system. However, it must be emphasized that although research data seems to show that there is a link between the mind and the immune system, there is no known biological mechanism linking the two systems. This does not however mean that it cannot be a real phenomenon.
It was reported in the paper, "Psychoneuroimmunology - Cross-talk between the immune and nervous systems" published in the Journal of Neurology in 2007 by Tjalf Ziemssen and Simone Kern, that there are two major pathways linking the brain and the immune system:
"the autonomic nervous system (ANS) via direct neural influences; and
"the neuroendocrine humoral outflow via the pituitary gland.
Briefly, the first pathway, the autonomic nervous system, regulates the function of all innervated tissues and organs throughout the vertebrate body with the exception of skeletal muscle fibers. Thus, it forms the major efferent component of the peripheral nervous system, containing integrative neuronal connections and even complete reflex arcs.
The second pathway controls reactions to stress and has important functions in regulating various body processes such as digestion, the immune system and energy mobilization.
Interventions to Improve Immune System
There is evidence to suggest that there are various kinds of behavioral interventions that can be effective, to some extent, in improving mood, quality of life, health behavior and in altering neuroendocrine and immune functions. However, whether these latter effects can improve one's health significantly or for a long time, or if they are even relevant to the development of a specific disease, remains a great unknown.
Which behavioral interventions can change those parameters of physiological functions that are relevant to the progression of specific disease processes? We are most interested in the abilities to select behavioral intervention that changes those parameters of physiological function that are relevant to the progression of specific disease processes.
The following three psychological factors appear to improve immune systems:
1. Social Support
Social support includes assistance provided by others, emotional support such as receiving care and empathy, affirmation of our behaviors, and receiving helpful information.
The book, Social Support and Health, authored by Cohen & Syme and published in 1985, reported that the positive effects of social support on health have been documented in numerous studies.
For example, the presence of social support has been associated with greater resistance to disease, lower rates of coronary heart disease, faster recovery from heart disease and heart surgery, and lower mortality.
Salovey, Deweiller & Steward reported in American Psychologist in 2000 that social support helped to increase compliance with medical treatments, reduce the levels of medication, and speed up recovery.
Burg & his co-worker reported during Society of Behavioral Medicine Meeting in 1986 in California that support from family and friends has been associated with less arterial blockages in patients with Type 4 personalities.
There are many other examples that show a good association between social support and the immune system.
2. Humor
There are also many examples that show a good association between humor and the immune system.
Apparently in the 4th century B.C., Hippocrates, the father of Greek medicine, had already prescribed laughter to his patients.
More recently, G.E. Vaillant reported in American Psychologist in 1977 that the defense mechanism of humor, or being able to laugh at either oneself or at the situation, was associated with greater adjustment and well-being.
Cousins published Anatomy of an illness in 1981 where he reported how he helped cure himself of ankylosing spondylitis, which is a chronic, painful, degenerative inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting spine and sacroiliac joints, causing eventual fusion of the spine. Apparently he achieved it through humor.
Later experimental studies have found that laughter can increase S-IgA antibodies that help fight off infections (reported by Dillon and his colleagues in International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine in 1985-86), can increase natural disease fighting killer cells, and can lower blood pressure (reported by Lefcourt in Handbook of Positive Psychology in 2002).
3. Music
Music has also been found to aid the healing process.
James Pennebaker wrote in Opening up: The healing power of expressing emotions in 1997 that nonverbal expression of emotions through art or music can be helpful in the process of coping with trauma.
Halpern & Savary reported in The music and sounds that make us whole in 1985 that relaxing sounds have been shown to lower stress hormones and blood pressure as well as increase immune system functioning, and also raise endorphin levels which increase positive moods.
Cancer specialist Mitchell Gaynor reportedly used a variety of music including the sounds of Tibetan singing bowls, Gregorian chants, the singing of Jewish prayers, and even drumming, as an adjunctive therapy with his cancer patients, and was successful.
Summary
The reports thus seem to suggest that social support, using humor and music, can lead to better human immunity system, which leads to better health and even eventual cure from diseases that would otherwise be terminal.
