What makes us ill - what heals us

A radically new perspective on the connection between the brain, psyche, and health. It's flu season, and everyone is sneezing and coughing. We hope to get through unscathed. But who remains unaffected, and who ends up in bed with a fever? As the still young discipline of psychoneuroimmunology shows, the psyche, brain, and immune system are closely interconnected. Our immune system is in constant interaction with our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Recent studies indicate that chronic stress, for example in relationships or at work, not only makes us more susceptible to infections but can also significantly shorten our lives and lead to serious illnesses such as cancer and autoimmune diseases in the long term. Conversely – here’s the good news – positive thoughts, emotional balance, and inner well-being mobilize our self-healing powers, preventing diseases. Christian Schubert advocates for a new way of thinking in medicine and research that considers the whole person – and calls for a radical transformation of our healthcare system. "Medicine focuses entirely on the body. But that is not enough. Just as muscles, tendons, and vertebrae are interconnected, so too should the body and soul be viewed as a unity. I am interested in the person as a whole." Prof. Dr. med Dr. rer. nat. M. Sc. Christian Schubert.