To explore the interface between body, mind and immune system, the new study of psychoneuroimmunology was born, already, studies in this young discipline have revealed a wealth of exciting information. The existence of an emotional component in cold and flu infections has been identified and researchers have discovered that thinking certain thoughts can bolster our immunocompetence in as short a time as an hour or two. Thus our beliefs and thoughts can influence the duration and severity of a cold or flu, even though we may already be suffering from an infection. In fact, there is increasing evidence to show that our feelings and attitude can do more to speed antibody production than any other single factor.
Numerous studies have already shown that stress, depression, and feeling lonely or helpless suppress the immune system. One recent study found that moderately-stressed or depressed women have 40 percent fewer killer T cells and 20 percent fewer helper T cells than normal.
A similar study of forty-nine medical students made at Ohio State University revealed that their resistance to viral infection was highest after they had spent a vacation relaxing and lowest during the stress of studying for exams. The same study also showed that the loneliest students had less resistance to virus than those who were more gregarious.
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