Replies to post #202786 on Biotech Values

[genisi]

Semi OT
Apropos to placebo effect, an interesting basic study and really cool effect.
I have only parked the link and conclusions, not the full paper because I suspect it is of interest just for very few readers and they have access.

http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nm.4133.html

In conclusion, we used direct neuronal manipulation to establish a causal relationship between the brain's reward system and immunity. We show that activation of the reward system increases the primary antibacterial immune response, as well as the immune response after pathogen re­exposure. These findings are in line with pharmacological and lesion studies that implicate the reward system in immune activity28, 29. On the basis of our data, we speculate that this reward­ system­ driven enhancement of antibacterial immunity might be beneficial in natural contexts that are known to activate the VTA but which might also increase the likelihood of exposure to pathogens (such as feeding or mating behaviors)30, 31. Although the use of DREADDs for VTA activation enabled us to establish its causal effects on the immune system, it does not fully mimic naturally occurring reward conditions, and further studies will be required to determine the effects of naturally occurring reward responses on immunity.
The placebo response is a powerful manifestation of the connection between positive emotions, reward system activation and physical well­being. Reward system activation is evident during the placebo response in humans3, 4, but it is mostly associated with the psychological aspects of placebo32. Our study, which connects reward system activity with the immune response, may shed new light on the nature of the placebo effect and suggests a neuronal mechanism by which positive expectations have an effect on peripheral immunity.