After reading "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers" by Robert M.
Sapolsky, I think it is safe to say this book can definitely be judged by its
cover. Beneath the title, the book admits that it is the acclaimed guide to
stress, stress- related disease, and coping. One of Sapolsky’s insights on the
issue of stress is that unlike zebras who deal with stress fast and furious followed
by a continuation without worry, human beings dwell on their stress and the
anxiety of anticipating additional stress can be very damaging to one’s health.
One of the most interesting concepts that I found in the book was the effect of
the nervous system on the immune system. I was drawn in by this discussion due
to my own personal experience of waking up with a headache and then convincing
myself for the rest of the day that I am more sick than I am until I actually
develop flu- like symptoms. I knew I was just psyching myself out, but this
book really called me out on my neurotic behavior and explained how interconnected
the brain and the immune system are. In order to demonstrate the relationship,
an example of waving an artificial rose in front of someone highly allergic to
roses and consequently they would have an allergic reaction even though the
flower was a fake. The book admits that this test is a bit dated, but follow up
studies have reinforced the point that thinking influences feeling, so the
theory stands true. I have to admit I was a bit freaked out that maybe my mind
was too controlling over my feelings and perhaps the first time I felt overly
happy or sad was because my brain was influencing my body. Can we now ever know
for sure if what we are feeling is organically the real deal?
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