Borysenko and Borysenko

Please write 100 word responses to the three posts listed below.
1. To summarize Borysenko and Borysenko’s essay, I need to express their main ideas in my own words and briefly explain its purpose and direction. Psychonueroimmunology is the study of the connection between the mind and body, and how those connections impact the immune system. Our mood, surroundings, and reaction to our surroundings may have the greatest impact on how we think in any given situation. The brain is capable of producing a multitude of different chemicals, many corresponding with a specific type of mental state or response. Some of these chemicals can have rapid physical effects, reaching all parts of the body via the bloodstream. “Cells of the limbic system are particularly active in the manufacture and secretion of neuropeptides—a direct line of communication between emotions and the body.” The general mind-body connection is identified using scientific evidence, and described in numerous ways, revealing its importance, scope, and function.

To analyze the essay, I need to pick apart how Borysenko and Borysenko got their point across, what they did and didn’t do; I also need to include some of my own reaction. As I read the essay, I became invested in the topic. Borysenko and Borysenko made it relatable, understandable, and intriguing. I noticed that at times, they lean further into the uncertain, and ask hopeful, exciting questions instead of stating a more boring, or underwhelming proven fact. This reveals to me their effort to persuade the reader that the mind and body are connected to a degree that has yet to be scientifically proven. Certainly, the connection is limited. The answers to your last posed questions are ‘no’ and ‘no’. Parts of the description, such as “…bind to the surface of all the cells in your body, the way that a lock fits into a key” reminded me of superpowers, and how we suspect they come about in science fiction. The only thing ‘super’ about these discoveries, though, is our better understanding of them. These are very complicated, but very normal phenomena that take place in all humans, and even other animals.

2. Joan and Miroslav Borysenko studied psychoneuroimmunology, where the mind and body meet. As they were collecting this study, Miro was convinced that psychoneuroimmunology links our thoughts to our immune cells (Borysenko,20). When he said this no one believed him but he was right. Stress is linked to how our body runs properly. Being stressed for a short amount of time can cause illness but eventually goes away because it was just temporary stress. Long-term stress can affect us in more serious ways. This is because we have “killer cells” these cells kill the bad cells that cause sickness, these can not function properly because we have stress. This is also related to adrenaline and how it affects us to act quickly in stressful situations. When people stress after the fact of these situations it can cause chronic stress because their adrenal glands are so big which causes illness. This can prevent immune cells to form. People who are chronically stressed can’t properly cope with the challenges of life(Borysenko,22). Good copers are people who act on situations and survive rather than give up. The mind and body are linked in many ways. There are effects on our bodies on the way we feel, and there are effects on our minds because of what we do to our bodies.

The Borysenkos’ did a great job of supporting their ideas. Every different point they made was backed up with reason and research that drew me in. I definitely agree with their research because now that I have read the article I reflected and realized that I have had the effects of stress myself. There is research backing up all of these points and examples of it. I do believe there is an extent to which this goes, not everything can be linked between our minds and body. Not everything that I eat is going to affect my mind and not everything I think is going to affect my body. As the example says positive thinking is not always the “cure” to suffering. Suffering is not always treatable. Eating healthy doesn’t just magically make you happier or less anxious. Overall, I really liked this article because it made me think and realize there are things affecting me physically because of what’s happening inside my head. This will make me think more consciously about my health overall.

3. Borysenko’s essay was very interesting to read because it is something new to me. It started off discussing Joan and her life as she went on to become a writer and psychologist. Next, it talked about Miron and how he did research in psychoneuroimmunology which was very interesting to read about. The story of Miron when he was at a staff meeting at Tufts Medical School was where he really believed in his work that he had done. He backed up his work too when they doubted him. I thought it was crazy when I saw the example of the joyful thought. I tried it when I was reading it and I could feel something different when I was doing it. I think the brain is so interesting and the things that we don’t know yet about it or don’t realize are crazy. Our bodies can affect our moods and based on the energy we have. A lot of college students deal with depression possibly because of fatigue. Staying up late and not getting a good nights sleep plays a role in that. I think that when I analyze this writing that there is a too far of a connection you can make about this. You can’t say all depression and happiness are from fatigue and energy levels. I think that our brains can alter our moods based off our bodies. I think that positive thinking is good, but it is impossible to solve all problems from doing this. I do believe that having a healthy lifestyle will benefit you and your mental health knowing you are doing well. “Take a few letting-go breaths, close your eyes, and either recall something that made you happy, such as a baby’s first smile or a delightful joke, or imagine something that might make you joyful in the future.” After reading this and trying this I do believe that this is a good way to get things off your mind and think of a happier place. However, this isn’t a long term fix to getting your mind in a better place.

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