03/07/2024
From Scientific American - some proof of what we therapists keep saying: thinking positively really does make a difference!! Enjoy and keep smiling :-)
Happy Mind, Happy Mitochondria
Researchers examined happiness data from 400 individuals ages 65 and older across the U.S. They found that positive life experiences (a sense of purpose, having strong social ties) were closely associated with a greater abundance of mitochondrial complex I, a key group of proteins involved in mitochondrial energy generation in the brain's dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Negative experiences (like isolation or difficult childhood experiences) were associated with a lower abundance of the same protein complex.
Why this matters:
This study adds to a growing pile of evidence showing that the mind, through good and bad experiences in life, has a direct impact on biological functions in the body (often called the mind-body connection). Different-functioning mitochondria in the brain could impact mental health or the occurrence of disease, ranging from schizophrenia to Parkinson’s disease.
What the experts say:
States of mind and prior experiences such as early-life trauma can shape mitochondrial function, says Vidita Vaidya, a neuroscientist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India. Previous studies have shown that stress levels can affect the functioning of mitochondria in immune cells.