The Immune System: Protecting Us from Infection and Illness

investigate the relationship between stress-induced illnesses and the immune system. They executed a natural experiment examining whether temporary stress factors such as major exams could have an impact on the immune function of medical students. The researchers collected blood samples from these students before and during their examinations, using NK (Natural Killer) cell activity as an indicator of immune performance. Additionally, they had the students complete questionnaires aimed at assessing psychological aspects like life events and feelings of isolation.

The researchers discovered that during examinations, the students had a noticeably decreased white cell count. This was especially pronounced in those who indicated experiencing a lot of life events and feelings of isolation. They deduced that the stress associated with exams decreases immune function, potentially making a person susceptible to diseases and infections. It was found that psychological factors such as life event-induced stress and sentiment of isolation also have impact on the immune function. These persistent stressors might make individuals more prone to the compounding effects of transient stressors such as exams.

When examining the GAS Theory, it's essential to acknowledge that this was the initial comprehensive attempt to illustrate how human beings respond to stress. Selye conducted his preliminary studies on rats, using physical factors as stress triggers. Considering the physiological differences between rats and humans, there are challenges in directly translating his research findings to humans. A frequent criticism of the GAS theory is its neglect for individual variations. It assumes a standard response to stress by all individuals which we now know isn't correct due to significant influences from aspects like personality and gender on people's reaction to stress.