Immune system: the mind body connection

The “inflammatory reflex” theory, put forth by Kevin Tracey M.D. suggests that there is a direct link between the mind and the body, specifically the immune system. According to Tracey, “the literature shows that for centuries, doctors, monks, priests, acupuncturists and even laymen believed that individuals’ state of mind influenced their health. But nobody could explain how, until now”.

Scientists now know that messages from the brain, sent through the vagus nerve, can stop certain immune activities such as the release of TNF, also known as the “tumor necrosis factor.” Though TNF fulfills a critical function in suppressing infection (i.e., making the body respond better to an pathogen’s attack), too much can actually cause harm.

Meditation has shown that it can change the structure of the brain and the amount of activity in certain regions of the brain. The inflammatory reflex shows the direct link between thought and immune response. Mental process (and corresponding changes in brain chemistry) can affect the way our bodies respond to disease, i.e., our resilience to biological, chemical and psychological stress.