Folia Medica Indonesiana
ISSN 0303-7932
Vol. 41 / No. 2 / Published : 2005-04
Order : 1, and page :83 - 83
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Original Article :
Editorial vol 41 no 2 2005
Author :
- The Editors*1
- -
Abstract :
More intensive pathobiological studies have disclosed various interesting phenomena. Although these phenomena haverevealed relations between brain and immune system, further detailed explanations are still needed. There are two vitalpathways connecting brain with immune system, i.e., symphatetic nerve system and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.Both pathways are commonly used in explaining the effect of mind on changes in immune system. The immune andneuroendocrine systems represent a total integration of information circuit that results from a sharing of ligands(messengers) and their receptors. Consequently, it can be stated that emotions, attitudes, and behaviors can affectimmunity and, conversely, immunity can affect emotions and behavior. It is clear that the immune systemcommunicates with the neuroendocrine system and that imbalances in the neuroendocrine-immune circuitry are relevantto host defenses. This knowledge is the basis of the scientific discipline called psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) thatemphasizes the indivisibility of somatic and psychological processes and the inseparability of immunologic andneuroendocrine processes. In other words, immunoregulation is not autonomous. Simply put, mind affects the body andphysical health, and, conversely, physical health affects mind and thoughts, emotions as well as behavior. Psychologyand neurobiology has come together to influence the functioning of the immune system. Psychological factors can leada person into unhealthy habits, while an individual's mental state can affect the body's biological defense system. Itshould therefore be possible to alter immune functions by inducing altered psychological states. In this regard, severalstudies have proved relations between tahajud praying, hajj pilgrimage, as well as fasting and immunity change.Sternberg also emphasized that if physical and psychological stresses can make people sick by adversely affecting theirimmune and hormonal responses, conversely, a strong belief in healing rituals and prayer may help make them well.Those studies proved that positive emotions may enhance immune function, and confirm furthermore that the regulationof immune system does not act autonomously. Today, Kaye regarded the non-autonomous immunity change aspsychoneuroimmunological change.
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Archive Article
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 Volume : 41 / No. : 2 / Pub. : 2005-04 |
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