That the mind can influence the body during health and disease is an ancient notion which, in part because of its origins in anecdotal observations, has been an often and sometimes hotly debated concept. Over 20 years ago, Dr. Robert A. Good formulated a concise and elegant description of the problem as viewed from an immunological perspective. To quote Dr. Good:
“Immunologists are often asked whether the state of mind can influence the body's defenses. Can positive attitude, a constructive frame of mind, grief, depression, or anxiety alter ability to resist infections, allergies, autoimmunities, or even cancer? Such questions leave me with a feeling of inadequacy because I know deep down that such influences exist, but I am unable to tell how they work, nor can I in any scientific way prescribe how to harness these influences, predict or control them. Thus they cannot usually...
