Psychoneuroimmunology

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is relatively a new field of study that looks at how your central nervous system (CNS) interacts with your immune system. Our CNS and immune system can communicate with one another, but researchers have only lately begun to comprehend how this works and what it means for our health.

The effects of stress on the immune system have been studied extensively. The release of cytokines in reaction to physical and psychological stress is the subject of many of these research.

A cytokine is a tiny protein that cells, particularly those in your immune system, release. There are many different types of cytokines, but pro-inflammatory cytokines are those that are generally activated by stress.
In most cases, your body produces pro-inflammatory cytokines in reaction to an infection or damage to aid in the destruction of germs or the repair of tissue. Your body releases several hormones, including epinephrine (adrenaline), when you are physically or emotionally worried. These hormones have the ability to connect to certain receptors that activate the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

PNI in a variety of illnesses:

Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an excellent example of how your immune system, central nervous system, mental health, and stress levels are all linked. It's a long-term condition in which your skin cells grow too quickly. Excess skin cells are normally removed by the body, but if you have psoriasis, these extra cells build up on the surface of your skin. This might cause a lot of itching and pain.

The release of cytokines by your immune system causes the proliferation of skin cells in psoriasis. We know that psychological stress can aggravate or precipitate psoriasis flare-ups. Indeed, persons with psoriasis have higher amounts of cortisol.

Cortisol is produced by your hypothalamus, which is part of your central nervous system. When it detects stressors, it sends a signal to your pituitary gland, which then produces cortisol. This, in turn, can cause your immune system to release pro-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines then cause a proliferation of skin cells.

Furthermore, psoriasis patients frequently experience psychological issues such as sadness, increased stress, and suicide thoughts. An increase in cytokine levels has been associated to serious depression in previous research.

Cancer: In reaction to stress, women with genetic risk factors for cancer displayed immune system abnormalities.

Immune system abnormalities were seen in people with breast, cervical, or ovarian cancer who reported feeling anxious.

The immune system's and brain's communication may have an impact on cancer-related symptoms like fatigue, sadness, and difficulties sleeping.

Coronary artery disease: Psychological stress increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is consistent with prior findings.

Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are linked to higher heart rates and blood pressure. Furthermore, your immune system's production of cytokines contributes to symptoms of sickness and fatigue. Long-term stress and cytokine production, on the other hand, may play a role in the development of heart illness.