Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Looking to Genes for the secret to Happiness
Scientists have long surmised that your mood can affect your health, but researchers at UNC and UCLA have recently discovered some of the cellular mechanisms behind the genetic effects of happiness. The researchers had 80 healthy volunteers complete an online questionnaire about why they felt satisfied with their lives, and then drew blood in order to analyze their white blood cells. They were looking for differences in gene-expression that controlled different aspects of the immune response, and they found that there was a big difference between individuals with either hedonic or eudaemonic reasons for their happiness. This whose happiness came from consuming things (hedonic) had increased markers for inflammation, while those whose happiness came from service to others, or a higher purpose (eudaemonic) had higher levels of antibody producing gene-expression. These shifts are most likely driven by an evolutionary strategy of working for the common good.
The researchers added that there is no real need to change your lifestyle based on these findings, since many types of happiness can coexist. It is however recommended to try to look past the simple gratification when performing a task. I find this very interesting that something as simple as our source of happiness can alter your life at the biological level.
Main article link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/what-our-genes-reveal-about-true-happiness/
Secondary link: http://www.livescience.com/46877-denmark-happiness-genetics.html
Labels:
gene-expression,
genes,
happiness,
white blood cells
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Is this kind of similar to hypochondriacs generally having poorer health than normal functioning adults? It seems like your attitude plays a huge part in your health!
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