The Adaptive Nature of Immune to Brain Signaling

Inflammation in the body can have both positive and negative effects on our social lives. While prolonged inflammation can be detrimental to our well-being, in the short term, it can actually motivate us to seek social interactions with our close support network. A study found that when participants with elevated inflammation levels viewed images of their support figures, their brains showed more activity in a reward-related region. This suggests that inflammation may make interactions with familiar and supportive individuals more rewarding, potentially providing us with comfort and care.