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Effect of Stress on the Immune System

By Tess Thompson

The effects of stress on the immune system are the subject matter of a new and developing field of study, psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). It is the study of the relationship between the emotional state of the mind, the human nervous, the immune system and its effects on health. Even though it is a large field of study that covers a wide range of health disciplines, it focuses on psychological processes and their effects on the nervous system and immune system.

The immune system is responsible for protecting the body from pathogens. The nervous system, on the other hand, is a complex network of nerves that conveys and receives signals to and from different organs in response to various stimuli, including stressful information and events. The nervous system and the immune system communicate with each other through these signaling pathways. The nervous and immune systems are the two major systems in the human body that have a clear capacity of adaptation. It is through this capacity of adaptation that immunological memories are created and stored that provide even more effective protection.

The connection between the mind and body has been known for a long time. There is also biological evidence about the connection between the nervous system and the immune system. One simple connection is that the stimulation of the brain alters immunity, and various protein molecules secreted by cells of the immune system that serve to regulate the immune system also act on the central nervous system. The immune cells in turn respond to the signals from the nervous system and release hormones in the endocrine system. Abnormalities and disruptions in the adaptive systems affect behavioral patterns, as well as metabolism and cardiovascular health.

Stress affects immunity and causes stress symptoms like fear, anxiety, anger and sadness. It also brings about physiological changes like an increase in the heart rate, blood pressure and sweating. These are stress symptoms that are generally observed during the well known ‘fight or flight’ response. These changes provide multiple benefits, but only when temporary in nature. You cannot allow a continuous state of mental stress, which affects your overall health since the immune system is compromised and the body is incapable of handling such stress over extended periods of time.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_System
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoneuroimmunology