The emotional relationship between asthma and the brain

What is the relationship between asthma and the mind? For example, today we know that states of anxiety and depression increase the symptoms of the disease. Likewise, asthma and some emotions activate the same regions of the brain.

There has been talk for a long time about the relationship between asthma and the mind. This is because in everyday life it is very easy to notice this association. The most obvious is the link that exists between a state of nervousness and an asthma attack. However, it is not very clear what science has found in this regard.

The question that arises is clearly the following: Is there a real relationship between asthma and the mind, or is it a myth without foundation? Until just a few decades ago, it was thought that the issue of the influence of emotions on asthma was just speculation. However, with the advances in science today, that connection is undeniable.

The science defines asthma as a complex syndrome, which is mainly characterized by inflammation and obstruction of the airways. It is the most widespread chronic disease in childhood.

It is estimated that at least 60% occur in children. Among the triggering factors, today those of a psychological nature are included. The relationship between asthma and the mind is undeniable.

“Breath is that fragile ship that takes us from birth to death”.

-F. Leboyer-

Studies on the relationship between asthma and the mind

Dr. Zofel Marx and his colleagues conducted a study with patients asthmatics, to determine if, indeed, emotions influenced the disease. His research consisted of comparing the emotions of healthy patients and asthmatic patients to establish if there was any difference.

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In the end they concluded that asthmatic patients had more hostile attitudes, greater feelings of helplessness and more expressions of sadness, than healthy patients. To verify this, both groups were exposed to various stimuli and their reaction was observed. However, the emotional difficulties observed could be an effect of asthma and not its cause.

Despite this, these findings have been corroborated by other studies. It has been proven that up to 50% of asthmatic people have depressive symptoms . Likewise, those who have these symptoms, or manifestations of anxiety, have more frequent attacks and visit doctors more. Likewise, the use of antidepressants reduces asthma symptoms.

A discovery of neuroscience

A study carried out at the University of Wisconsin-Madison established that there is a clear connection between asthma and the mind. The research carried out allowed us to conclude that asthmatic processes are related to two areas of the brain that are closely related to emotions: the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula.

Professor Richard Davidson, director of the research, used magnetic resonance images to demonstrate this fact. For this he started from a group of six volunteers. All of them suffered from asthma. This group was administered a series of substances that exacerbated the disease.

By observing the brains of the volunteers, it was found that the stimuli activated the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula. Both areas are strongly related to emotions. The research was published, but It is not considered conclusive because there were few patients studied.

A field of research that remains open

Science has already managed to establish a connection between asthma and the mind. What is not yet known is the extent of this link or the exact mechanisms that regulate it. What is clear is that psychological factors are determining factors in the course of this illness.. A state of depression or anxiety exacerbates asthma flares.

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Dr. Antonio Cano Vindel, from the Complutense University of Madrid, points out that anxiety affects asthma in two ways. The first, generating episodes of rapid breathing or hyperventilation. This physiological state is present in various emotional events, such as crying, fear, stress, etc. At the same time, Cano Vindel points out that every strong emotional event increases bronchoconstriction.

On the other hand, it points out that patients with asthma usually have high levels of depression, sadness and anger, due to the same limitations that the disease poses to them. It has been proven that If these psychological states are treated appropriately, the prognosis of these patients improves. in a significative way.

Therefore, there is a relationship between asthma and the mind; Neither in this case nor in that of other diseases, can we separate the organism from what happens in the brain. The old maxim is ratified again according to which for there to be a healthy body, the mind must also be healthy, and vice versa.