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The immune system and happiness.

¹Psychogeriatric Department, Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat-Yam and the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Bat-Yam, Israel. mdybarak@netvision.net.il

Autoimmunity Reviews

|October 10, 2006

Summary

Positive emotions, like happiness, may boost immunity by increasing secretory immunoglobulin A and decreasing stress hormones. This contrasts with negative emotions, which can impair immune response and increase illness risk.

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Area of Science:

Psychoneuroimmunology
Affective neuroscience
Health psychology

Background:

The interplay between the central nervous system and immune system is well-studied in negative emotional states like depression and schizophrenia.
The impact of positive emotions, particularly happiness, on physiological and immune functions remains largely unexplored.
Emotions significantly influence the development and progression of major diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the relationship between affective style, psychological well-being, and immune function.
To investigate the physiological and immune system interactions associated with positive emotional states.
To explore the potential health benefits of positive emotions.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on affective style, psychological well-being, and immune markers.
Analysis of studies monitoring immune and endocrine systems during exposure to pleasant stimuli (e.g., odors, images).
Examination of physiological measures related to positive and negative affective styles.

Main Results:

Pleasant emotional stimuli were associated with increased secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels.
Exposure to pleasant stimuli led to a decrease in salivary cortisol, a stress hormone.
Individuals with a negative affective style may exhibit a weaker immune response and higher illness risk compared to those with a positive affective style.

Conclusions:

Positive emotional states show potential for beneficial effects on health through physiological and immune interactions.
Further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms linking positive emotions to immune function and health outcomes.
A positive affective style may be protective against illness by enhancing immune response.

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