Nature Medicine：安慰剂效应真的存在，积极的心态，能够提高免疫力，增强疫苗效果

Core Insights - The article discusses a study from Tel Aviv University published in Nature Medicine, which explores the connection between "brain thoughts" and "body immunity," specifically how positive expectations can enhance immune responses to vaccinations [2][3]. Research Design - The study involved 85 healthy volunteers divided into three groups: 1. Experimental group trained to upregulate the brain's reward circuitry [7] 2. Control group trained to activate unrelated brain networks [8] 3. Blank control group with no brain training [9] - Participants used a technique called functional magnetic resonance neurofeedback to visualize and adjust their brain activity [10]. Key Findings - The study found that: 1. The brain can be "trained" to enhance specific activity levels, indicating that individuals can learn to self-regulate brain functions [14]. 2. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is crucial; higher activity in this region correlates with increased antibody levels post-vaccination [14]. 3. Positive expectations are key; strategies that successfully upregulated VTA activity often involved a forward-looking, optimistic mindset [14]. 4. While the study shows correlation rather than causation, it strengthens the reliability of the link between VTA activity and immune response [15]. Implications of the Research - This research outlines a pathway from conscious positive expectations to enhanced immune responses, providing a new explanation for the placebo effect [17]. - It suggests potential for non-invasive methods, such as neurofeedback training and cognitive behavioral therapy, to harness positive psychological resources to improve vaccine efficacy and regulate immune functions in chronic conditions [17].