The Translation of Psychoneuroimmunology into Mind–Body Medicine

Abstract

With the elucidation of the psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) mechanisms of stress, healthcare professionals have been encouraged to promote stress management and translate the PNI discoveries into clinical practice. The interrelationships between behaviors and health support the practice of mind–body medicine. The research in PNI has suggested a reciprocal interaction between cognition and body as cognitive incidences may have somatic results with influences on the immune functions and disease development. PNI provides the scientific groundwork for understanding integrative therapies. Novel models based on PNI, psychosocial genomics, and systems biology may provide the insights into the basic mechanisms at different system levels of the human complex adaptive system (CAS). The psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune networks may reflect the impacts of psychological stress and relaxation on immune functions. The integrative PNI framework may help interpret the underlying mechanisms of mind–body medicine via the description of the bidirectional connections between the brain and peripheral systems such as the cardiovascular networks. Mindfulness meditation training has shown the effects of stress reduction among different patient populations. Stress can affect food choices and elevate maladaptive metabolic reactions to unhealthy meals. On the other hand, healthy diet plans may have effects on mood and stress responses. The practice of techniques such as Tai Chi (TC) may have effects on the biobehavioral factors related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Taking more adaptive ways and more effective coping strategies when facing life challenges may help improve the behaviors, psychophysiological responses, and overall health.