Psychiatric nursing: what does biology have to do with it?

There is a plethora of research that investigates the mind/body connection. This article provides a review of the advances in biological psychiatry, which includes the areas of psychobiology and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). Psychobiology is the branch of biological psychiatry that examines the biology of thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Current research findings that illuminate the neurotransmitter systems of the brain are highlighted. Psychoneuroimmunology is a relatively new branch of science that strives to show the connections between psychology, neurology, and immunology. Research in the area of PNI has yielded much information useful to nursing. Implications of this knowledge for psychiatric nursing are addressed.