South SFV Today

As the vaccine season approaches, recent research suggests that an individual's mindset can influence their response to vaccination. A study conducted by researchers at Stanford University, Miami University, and the University of California, San Francisco, indicates that a positive mindset is associated with better outcomes, such as reduced stress and side effects, improved mood, and potentially enhanced immune response.

Published in the journal Brain, Behavior & Immunity – Health, the study highlights several key findings:

- Positive vaccine-related mindsets predict lower anxiety on the day of vaccination and reduced stress and sadness in the surrounding days.

- Believing in the efficacy of the vaccine and anticipating a good bodily response are linked to fewer negative physical side effects.

- Viewing side effects as indicators that "the vaccine is working" correlates with a stronger immune response, evidenced by higher antibody levels six months post-vaccination.

"Many people will be surprised by these findings, but they shouldn’t be," said the authors. "Our brains are connected to every physiological system in our bodies."

Study authors Darwin Guevarra (Miami University), Alia Crum (Stanford), and Elissa Epel (UCSF) emphasized that mindsets about vaccines can significantly impact one's post-vaccination experience. They explained that while all examined mindsets were associated with more positive experiences to some degree, viewing side effects positively was most strongly linked to a robust neutralizing antibody response.

The researchers caution against misinterpreting their findings as evidence that mindsets directly cause better vaccination outcomes. The study shows correlation rather than causation; further experiments are needed to establish causal links.

The results related to side effects are particularly noteworthy due to their implications for vaccine hesitancy. Fear of side effects is a common reason for avoiding vaccination. However, understanding that many side effects signify an active immune response could transform how individuals perceive these symptoms. In another paper involving the same participants, greater sickness symptoms predicted stronger long-term antibody responses.

For those with negative or anxious views about vaccines, shifting towards more informed perspectives can help develop positive mindsets. Accurate information about how vaccines work and recognizing side effects as signs of efficacy may alleviate concerns.

Ethan Dutcher and Aric Prather of UCSF also contributed to this study. Alia Crum is an associate professor of psychology at Stanford's School of Humanities and Sciences and affiliated with various institutes within Stanford University.

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