Let Your Thoughts Heal You – The Science of thoughts and Psychoneuroimmunology!

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Hey! I'm back again with an exciting life hack to help you become a superhuman! I'm sure you've experienced that overwhelming rush of thoughts that can distract or even emotionally disturb you. Today, I'm going to discuss one common issue related to our thoughts—and how to tackle it using your mind. You might have even heard about stories and legends winning life's hardest battles with just their willpower. And that's where the game begins.

First off, give me a pat on the back for attempting to define a thought:

“A series of neural signals that occur either on command or spontaneously, composed of different pieces of data stored in various regions of the brain, related to past experiences, present circumstances, or predictions about the environment.”
And then, I settled with just calling it a thought. 

Thoughts flow in and out effortlessly, like they’re on a mission and heavily paid to do so! Some originate from the Department of Dreams, while others arise from the Department of Anxiety or Memory, among the many specialised areas of our brain. These departments play a significant role in shaping our emotions and influencing our actions and achievements.

Thoughts can often guide us wherever we wish to go. Therefore, it's essential to cultivate our thoughts wisely. The question arises: How can our thoughts bring us healing? While thoughts cannot replace the comfort of a warm hug or reassuring words like "everything's going to be okay," they serve as crucial first aid when we're feeling hurt or stuck. Positive and progressive thoughts can be the essential support we need in difficult times - the production of thoughts that heal is important, it might be healing for self or others!

What is Psychoneuroimmunology?

Ever had a cold before an exam or felt energised after laughing with friends? That’s Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) at play—the science that explores how your mind, brain, and immune system are secretly in a group chat. Here's how this trio operates:

  1. You think a thought, say, nervousness before a presentation.

  2. That thought triggers the brain, especially areas like the hypothalamus and limbic system.

  3. The brain sends messages via the nervous system, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

  4. These hormones act like body-wide emails, telling your immune system to dial down activity (because your body’s now in "fight or flight" mode, not "heal and repair" mode).

  5. As a result, chronic stress can suppress the immune system, while relaxation, laughter, and positivity can enhance immune defence.

So yes, your thoughts have the power to tweak your biology. The next time someone says, “It’s all in your head,” you can proudly say, “Exactly, and that’s called Psychoneuroimmunology!”

Now, it is evident from the above explanation that your way of thinking surely has the power to alter your physiology, and that, I would like to present with proof:

Ader, R., Felten, D. L., & Cohen, N. (1991). Psychoneuroimmunology (2nd ed.). Academic Press.
Additional Resource: Irwin, M. R., & Cole, S. W. (2011). Reciprocal regulation of the neural and innate immune systems. Nature Reviews Immunology, 11(9), 625–632.

[After all, I am a learning researcher—got to put the references ]

So definitely, your thoughts have the power to alter or control your actions. Your subconscious command to the brain will ultimately decide how you feel! Now, you know—you are the only hacker of your nervous system.

 How Will My Thoughts Heal Me?

  1. I don’t have to put a compulsion on myself to think positively always—I just have to allow myself to express and move on.

  2. I must have a goal in life, which shall bring progressive thoughts, no matter how many times I fail.

  3. Small practices like talking to friends, cracking jokes, or expressing myself can help control my thoughts when they’re overflowing.

  4. If a failure hurts me, I think about my work. If a person hurts me, I think about sorting it out. Either I express, I forgive, or I detach.

  5. If I am physically injured, I heal just by thinking about the people who care, my goal, and my destination.

  6. No matter where I stand right now, it is a must to have a passion within myself—passion about anything.

  7. Visualisation – Thinking about what specifically can heal me at the moment, my wants.

  8. Self-talk – Self-talk is the mirror of your thoughts, and thoughts govern you—everything about you.

One Thought at a Time

Compulsive direction of thoughts helps. No matter how many times you fail or how much time you require, just breathe. One thought at a time. This can be practised through calming breathing techniques, meditation, or simply by listening to your favourite music! It is this easy, dear ones. Just remember: One thought at a time. Manipulate it, own it, and progress it in the way you want it to be.

Even when things are out of your control, go with the flow while staying undefeated by unnecessary thoughts. To avoid unnecessary thoughts, label them—is this thought necessary or not?

Thinking or willing to come out of a situation should be a genuine desire. And hence:

The more you think about healing, the more you heal. You heal yourself and the ones around you too.

Damn easy, isn’t it?



-Shrutika V. Patankar ©

Comments

Anonymous said…
Excellent 👌👌👍
20 June, 2025
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