Positive thinking may enhance immune response to vaccines

A trial found volunteers who learned to activate the brain's reward system through positive expectations produced higher antibody levels after a hepatitis B vaccine; researchers say larger trials are needed to determine clinical benefit.

Researchers report that people who used positive thoughts to boost activity in the brain's reward system showed a stronger antibody response after vaccination. The study trained healthy volunteers over four sessions using real-time feedback to increase activity in the ventral tegmental area. Participants then received a hepatitis B vaccine and provided blood samples at two and four weeks. Authors emphasised this is not a substitute for vaccines or standard medical care. Key findings: - People who increased activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) showed higher antibody levels after hepatitis B vaccination. - Volunteers completed four brain‑feedback training sessions and used positive expectations or imagining good outcomes to raise VTA activity. - Blood samples were taken two and four weeks after vaccination to measure antibody responses. - The measured effect was described as small by some experts, and its clinical relevance is currently uncertain. - Study authors and commentators said larger trials are needed to test whether the approach affects other immune functions or has practical medical benefit. Summary: The study suggests a link between positive mental strategies, activity in the brain's reward system, and antibody production after a vaccine. Impact on clinical outcomes is undetermined; researchers and independent experts say larger trials are required to assess whether the effect has practical medical value.