The unexpected link between attention and inflammation
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New research published in the journal Nature Human Behavior suggests that the way we direct our attention may influence the body’s inflammatory response. In experiments involving itch, people who tried to distract themselves experienced greater inflammation than those who focused on the sensation instead. The findings challenge the common assumption that ignoring discomfort is always helpful and point to a surprising connection between attention, the nervous system, and immune activity. While more research is needed, the study raises the possibility that mindful attention to physical sensations could affect how strongly the body responds to irritation.
Source
Mizrachi, N., Rottem, M. & Rozenkrantz, L. Voluntary attention regulates acute immune responses in humans. Nat Hum Behav (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-026-02541-1
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