Cognitive behavioral therapy has surpassed other methods in treating inflammation

By Team

An analysis of 56 random clinical trials involving 4,060 people showed that psychological and behavioral methods of therapy are more effective means to reduce inflammatory processes in the body and strengthen immunity.

The results of a meta-analysis led by George M. Slavich, PhD, Founding Director Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research at California State University, Los Angeles, were published on JamaNetwork. It follows from them that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is superior in effectiveness to other therapeutic methods of strengthening the immune system, as well as activating biological processes.

“People, first of all, automatically turn to medicines to reduce chronic inflammation, but medicines are expensive and often have side effects. We wanted to know if the methods of psychotherapy can affect the immune system and, if so, which of them will have the most beneficial effect in the long run. ”

As a result, it turned out that CBT, which directly works with the psychological component, helps to change attitudes towards oneself and the world, which in turn affects the biological indicators of the body. Cognitive-behavioral therapy exerted the greatest influence on pro-inflammatory cytokines, which help the immune system to heal wounds and injuries and block infections. However, the constant mobilization of cytokines provokes the development of a number of diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease, as well as mental disorders, including schizophrenia and PTSD. and etc.

Inflammatory processes have a negative effect on sleep, provoke insomnia. You can fight them with the help of affirmations, which is one of the parts of CBT. The Hypnopedia application grants access to affirmations in unusual time - in a dream time and without waking the user. Affirmations are categorized, allowing you to choose the most suitable that will help your current mental state. Due to direct interaction with your subconscious, the quality of life increases.

Dr. Slavich is sure that non-drug methods are more preferable for those who want to balance their immunity. The benefits of CBT for the immune system persist for at least six months after treatment.

Based on materials from jamanetwork.com