Study Finds Attention Cuts Inflammation by 50% as Distraction Prolongs It
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 8
Study Finds Attention Cuts Inflammation by 50% as Distraction Prolongs It
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 8
Summary
Fifty-seven participants developed larger, longer-lasting skin inflammation when they distracted themselves from a histamine-induced itch; focusing on the sensation reduced redness and swelling in the same people.
Ninety percent showed more inflammation under distraction, with swelling and redness about 50% greater, while after 20 minutes nearly 90% in the attention condition had stabilized or improving swelling versus 46% when distracted.
Lidocaine blunted but did not erase the benefit of attention, and researchers also saw higher heart rate variability during focused attention — a sign of greater parasympathetic activity that may involve the vagus nerve.
The Nature Human Behaviour study adds to evidence that brain and immune signaling are closely linked, though outside experts said it did not directly measure immune cells and only tested short-term inflammation without a pathogen.
Rozenkrantz plans follow-up work on chronic inflammation and infection, with researchers saying the findings may help explain effects seen in meditation and placebo responses.