Immune System

Stress can affect the immune system because immune function is controlled by the neuroendocrine system, which can increase or decrease immune response to infection and disease (Dubey 1982). In the past, there has been a debate as to whether stress effects the immune system by boosting it, or weakening it. Research has shown that the immune system responds to short burst of stress by strengthening the response, and eventually becomes weakened after continuous exposure to stressors (Dubey 1982). Antigen research has shown that stress can cause the thymus (responsible for development and maintenance of antigens) to malfunction and develop into autoimmunity and decreased ability to respond to viral/bacterial attacks (Dubey 1982). The immune system can also be effected by the glucocorticoids that are released by the adrenal gland, which cause the suppression of the immune system (Chautard 1999). Even natural painkillers called endorphins can suppress the body’s reaction to infection (Mogil, Sternberg, & Liebeskind 1993).

To summarize the effect of stress on the immune system: short spurts of stress normally increase the immune response, but prolonged exposure to stressful events can redirect blood sugar and proteins away from immune production and cause a decrease in immune response (Kalet 1998).

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