Positive thought and Lifespan

[Glider]

Interesting, but can you demonstrate the relevance to Psychology?

[Kevin Conti]

Glider said in post # :

State of mind can result in beneficial effects, yes. As I mentioned, state of mind has been linked to immune function. There is correlative evidence that state of mind can have a significant effect in the presence of pathology, e.g. a type-A personality has been shown to be associated with a more positive outcomes in cases of cancer (However, type-A is also associated with higher risk of coronary heart disease).

 

However, in the absence of pathology, attitude may play a role in extending life expectancy, but that role is most likely to be one of a generally more positive attitude towards health and health behaviours, rather than any mysterious mental ability to delay death.

 

To use the example you provide, if I put a round into somebody that disrupts or destroys structures necessary for continued life, it would bring about a physical state physiologists term 'incompatible with life'. In individuals with such an injury, 'refusal to die' is not a factor.

 

However, in shots that are not immediately fatal (e.g. liver, hepatic artery, renal artery or some such structure), some mental states can induce changes in vasovagal response that would delay the onset of hypovolemic shock. Such individuals may retain consciousness and the ability to function for longer than individuals without that mental state. Nonetheless, without rapid intervention, the end result would be the same for both, and inevitable, regardless of mental state.

 

I absolutely agree as research I have read has very much documented similar results along your line of input. I should add that people who tend to be pessimistic are usually more inclined to be neurotic and as a consequence of that are likely to be stressed and anxiety prone. In practice, physiological research shows those individuals are more likely to suffer from heart problems than individuals who are mentally stable. Or in the occupational level those individuals who work in highly stressful jobs end up experiencing more health problems in those individuals in less stressful occupations.

 

In terms of positive thinking, a recent psychology specialism, i.e. psychoimmunology (power of thought on the immunuse system), has shown that positive thinking can have a monumental positive influence on the state of the immune system. In some cases, individuals have cured themselves, albeit from inconsequential problems, just based on thought power.

 

Positive thinking also in hypnosis may trigger the release of endorphins. Additionally, consider the placebo effect, that highlights the power of self-thought (e.g. i believe this is real) on the physical body.

 

The state of one's physical health, of course, is the main determinant (unless Ur a gangster or something!) of an individuals life span. So yes there is a two way interrelated process there.

 

Kev