Term can be broken in three parts P – “Psyco” means the emotions of a body, thinking process and mood fling of an individual. N – “Neuro” refers to the neurological systems, like reflex systems and neuroendocrine system. I – “Immunology” is the cellular structure and immune system constitution. PNI is a study of mind over body effect. PNI determine and ascertain the influence of thought process and mind on an Individual’s immune system.
This science helps in redirecting one’s internal energies towards healing process and health. Before this theory it was taken that Immune system is a self-sustaining and self regulating system. However, ever since the emergence of study called psycho-neuroimmunology these facts have become very debatable and has been reviewed. It analyses the interrelations between the central nervous system and the immune system. It has been debated whether emotions and mood swings effects the immune system. Is it true that your mental status might define the concentration of antigens (cells that protect us against various infections). It also try to divulge out the relation and degree of extent to which a mood or emotion effects an individual’s immune system. Immune System is the defense mechanism of body that protects us from diseases and infections. The immune system is composed of many interdependent cell types that collectively protect the body from bacterial, parasitic, fungal, viral infections and from the growth of tumor cells.
Most of these cell types have specialized functions. The cells of the immune system can engulf bacteria, kill parasites or tumor cells, or kill viral-infected cells. Often, these cells depend on the T helper subset for activation signals in the form of secretions formally known as cytokines, lymphokines, or more specifically interleukins. Many immune system cells are located in bone marrow, lymph nodes, the spleen, the tonsils, and the appendix. The exact nature of an immune system response is unique to each individual due to variation in the history of exposure to the invading antigens (foreign bodies that cause infection), the type of antigen invading, and the antigen’s route of entry into the body. There has been an influential amount of evidence, which establishes a link between the central nervous system and the immune system.
There are certain chemicals that are produced by our immune system called Cytokines and alter the function of our Central Nervous System, modifying behavior of an individual. There has been a reverse theory projected on this topic, that if Immune system can alter your Central Nervous System. Then your Central Nervous System can as well influence the immune System. Psycho-neuroimmunology try to find out various factors that might influence immunity either by directly affecting the Central Nervous System and Immune System or by sensitizing hormonal balance. There has been a large amount of study that has gone into the study of this particular aspect. It is psycho-neuroimmunology’s contention that psychological variables may influence immunity by directly affecting the central nervous system and immune systems or through hormonal pathways. Stress has been a psychological area of interest in determining the validity of this contention.
The hypothesis has been that large amounts of stress caused by a person’s inability to cope with a demanding situation may influence immune system functioning negatively. Research has shown that relaxation training may help to temporarily alter the relation between usual background levels of stress (i.e. the “stress” on the body and mind that is always present due to interaction with the world) and immune response. But as far as altering levels of stress caused by outside factors little has been proven conclusively. A common thread in psycho-neuroimmunology is that there are reasons to believe psychological states influence immune response, but this idea has been difficult to explore in a scientific manner. Conclusions Psycho-neuroimmunology is a rapidly growing field of study and treatment. Available information is copious and continuing to grow, therefore it is important to stay informed and be critical of the literature. Based on the mentioned studies, it is clear that psycho-neuroimmunology is a promising means through which to understand and aid in the healing of our bodies. For years, other healing modalities have considered the mind and the body inseparable. It is encouraging to see biomedicine taking steps towards a similar integration.
