Groundbreaking new research has provided concrete scientific evidence that a positive mindset can directly strengthen the body's defences. Neuroscientists have demonstrated that actively training the brain to expect good outcomes can lead to a measurable improvement in immune system performance.
The Brain's Reward Centre Holds The Key
The study, conducted by a team from Tel Aviv University in Israel, focused on a specific region of the brain known as the ventral tegmental area (VTA). This area is a crucial component of the brain's reward circuitry, heavily involved in processing motivation and shaping our expectations about the future.
In the trial, which took place on 19 January 2026, 85 healthy participants were coached to increase activity in this reward pathway. Techniques included focusing on and vividly recalling past positive experiences and outcomes. Using MRI scans, the researchers, led by study author Nitzan Lubianiker, confirmed they successfully boosted VTA activation.
A Stronger Response to Vaccination
The critical test came when participants were given a vaccine for hepatitis B. The results were striking: those who had undergone the mental training to activate the VTA showed a significantly better immune response compared to expectations. This finding offers a potential biological explanation for the well-documented but poorly understood 'placebo effect', where belief in a treatment's efficacy can trigger real physiological benefits.
"Our approach may be used to investigate new ways to boost immune processes, with potential relevance for fields such as cancer immunotherapy and chronic inflammation," explained Lubianiker. "Thus, we may harness the natural capacities of our mind and brain to heal our bodies in times of need."
Future Implications for Treatment and Care
The research team advocates for a new, 'double' approach to healthcare that combines physical treatments with psychological coaching designed to foster positive expectations. This paradigm could be applied to improve outcomes in areas like cancer treatment and managing inflammatory diseases.
Commenting on the study, neuroscientist Kyungdeok Kim of Washington University in the US highlighted its wider importance. "These findings highlight the need to consider factors that influence the brain’s reward circuit activity in a clinical setting," Kim noted. He pointed out that conditions like acute and chronic stress or depression—which are common in seriously ill patients—can impair this reward circuitry, potentially hindering the body's natural healing responses.
The study powerfully suggests that integrating mental resilience and optimism training into medical practice could unlock a powerful, untapped ally in the fight against disease: the patient's own mind.
