Thanks to so-called neuronal plasticity, we are very good at breaking through our habitual thought patterns and creating new ones.
This is because neuroplasticity describes functional, structural and adaptive changes in our central nervous system. These changes enable, for example, learning processes. Neuroplasticity can be induced by certain trainings (e.g. motor training after a stroke). There is synaptic plasticity (improved signal transmission at certain synapses), vicarious plasticity (neighboring areas compensate for disturbances of functions of another brain area; e.g. after a stroke), plasticity of brain areas (morphological changes of the brain areas involved after e.g. motor training), formation of new neurons (the hippocampus constantly forms new neurons, which can then be transported to the corresponding areas where they are needed), and much more.
Thank to psychoimmunology, we can
influence our physical functions through our psyche and vice versa. This means that wellness exercises can directly increase our immune system and thus not only our mental health, but also our physical health.
Psychoimmunology is the field of research that deals with the interaction of our psyche, nervous system and immune system. In the past, the immune system was considered autonomous. Today, we know that it cooperates and interacts with the central nervous system. Since then, it has become the most important area of modern medical research.
Messenger substances of the nervous system affect the immune system and vice versa. This is the basis why psychological and psychotherapeutic processes directly affect physical functions (psychosomatics).
Thus, stress and permanent stress negatively affect the immune system and can even be a trigger for autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis or rheumatism, and allergies.
