Virtual Reality Triggers Anticipatory Immune Response With Plans for Vaccine Priming Trials

The Mere Sight of Someone Sick Triggers an Immune Response, Study Suggests

Researchers equipped study participants with virtual reality headsets and observed how their brains and immune systems reacted to avatars with signs of illness

Brains React to Signs of Illness—Even When It’s Not Real

When people viewed virtual avatars with coughs or rashes, their brain triggered an immune response

Perceived sickness activates real immune responses

Findings indicate the brain's anticipatory response to virtual infections activates immune mechanisms, showcasing the link between neuroscience and immunity.

Anticipation of a virtual infectious pathogen is enough to prompt real biological defenses

Researchers led by the University of Geneva and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne report that neural anticipation of virtual infection triggers an immune response through activation of innate lymphoid cells.

Your immune system activates just by seeing sick faces, research shows

When you see someone who looks sick, your brain doesn't wait for them to get close before sounding the alarm. In fact, just seeing signs of illness from a distance triggers your immune system to gear up for battle, according to a new study from Swiss researchers. — Read the rest The post Your immune system activates just by seeing sick faces, research shows appeared first on Boing Boing.