Short-term Stress Has Positive Effects

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that short-term stress may not be all bad. They have done studies in mice that show that short-term stress can actually be helpful in that it boosts the immune system and protects against one type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Short-term stress is different from chronic stress, which actually weakens the immune system and strengthens the chance of getting diseases.

The researchers studied 30 laboratory rats for ten weeks and exposed them to cancer-causing ultraviolent lights. Prior to their expose, some were put through certain stressful events, such as being confined to a small space. These mice were compared with another set of mice that did not engage in stressful events. The research showed that although both sets of mice eventually formed tumors, those that underwent stress prior to exposure had fewer tumors and developed them at a slower rate. These results can be explained by the mice that underwent stress had higher levels of immune-activating genes than the control group.

This phenomenon is due to the fact that the body’s natural response to harmful activity is to prepare for the inevitable danger about to take place. When the mice underwent stress, their body automatically boosted their immunity. With this heightened immunity, the mice were able to protect themselves from the harmful light. Using the knowledge researchers have on the relationship between stress and immune activity, they believe that if they can perfect the dynamic of this relationship that they will be able to use this as a means of therapy in the future.

I think this article is very intriguing because something most people believe to be bad could have positive effects on your body. It is important to note that this is involved with short-term stress, not long-tem stress which can have harmful effects. The fight-or-flight response is an example of short-term stress that gets your adrenaline going and your immune system boosted in dangerous situations.

Link (Short-term Stress Enhances Anti-tumor Activity in Mice): http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921134650.htm

Robin Terry

VTPP 434-502