🧠 Quick Study Guide: Psychoneuroimmunology & Stress
- 🔬 What is PNI? Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the interdisciplinary study of the interactions between psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system. It explores how our thoughts, feelings, and experiences can directly influence our physical health.
- 🤯 Stress Response: When we experience stress, our body activates the "fight or flight" response, primarily involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. This leads to the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
- 🛡️ Impact on Immunity: Chronic stress, in particular, can suppress the immune system. Cortisol, a major stress hormone, can reduce the number and function of lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infection), impair antibody production, and increase inflammation.
- 🤒 Real-Life Manifestations:
- 🤧 Increased Susceptibility to Illness: People under chronic stress are more prone to colds, flu, and other infections.
- 🩹 Slower Wound Healing: Stress can delay the body's ability to repair tissues and recover from injuries or surgeries.
- 🔥 Exacerbation of Autoimmune Diseases: Stress can trigger flare-ups or worsen symptoms in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- 💔 Cardiovascular Issues: Chronic stress contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke risk.
- 💡 Mental Health Connection: PNI also highlights the bidirectional link between mental health disorders (like depression, anxiety) and immune dysfunction.
- 🧘 Coping Mechanisms: Positive coping strategies (e.g., mindfulness, exercise, social support, adequate sleep) can mitigate the negative effects of stress on the immune system by promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormone levels.
📝 Practice Quiz: Psychoneuroimmunology in Action
Choose the best answer for each question.
Which of the following best defines Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)?
A) The study of the brain's impact on psychological disorders.
B) The study of how nutrition affects the immune system.
C) The interdisciplinary study of the mind, nervous system, and immune system interactions.
D) The study of neurological diseases and their treatments.
A key stress hormone released during the "fight or flight" response that can suppress immune function is:
A) Insulin
B) Estrogen
C) Cortisol
D) Melatonin
Which of these is a common real-life example of chronic stress impacting health, as understood through PNI?
A) Experiencing a sudden burst of energy after a good night's sleep.
B) Developing a higher resistance to common colds during exam periods.
C) Slower wound healing after surgery in a highly stressed individual.
D) Improved memory recall under pressure.
The HPA axis is primarily involved in the body's response to:
A) Digestion
B) Stress
C) Sleep regulation
D) Blood sugar control
Chronic stress is known to affect lymphocytes in what way?
A) Increase their number and enhance their function.
B) Reduce their number and impair their function.
C) Convert them into other types of immune cells.
D) Have no significant effect on them.
Which of the following is NOT typically associated with the negative effects of chronic stress on the immune system?
A) Increased susceptibility to infections.
B) Exacerbation of autoimmune diseases.
C) Enhanced antibody production.
D) Delayed wound healing.
Which coping mechanism is likely to mitigate the negative effects of stress on the immune system?
A) Increased consumption of sugary foods.
B) Social isolation.
C) Regular physical exercise and mindfulness.
D) Extended periods of sleep deprivation.
Click to see Answers
1. C
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. C
7. C