American scientists have found different types of happiness have surprisingly contrary effects on our genes.
UCLA research found that people who derive their happiness from helping others have strong antibody genes, while people who get their kicks from self-gratification can suffer from low antiviral and anitbody gene expression.
The study, which also involved the University of North Carolina, is the first of its kind to examine how positive psychology impacts human gene expression. People who are do-gooders have high levels of 'eudaimonic well-being'. They derive their happiness from a deep sense of purpose and meaning in life showed favourable gene-expression profiles in their immune cells. Those studied from this happiness group had low levels of inflammatory gene expression and strong antibody and antiviral genes.
However, individuals who have high levels of 'hedonic well-being' - the type of happiness that comes from consuming goods and self-gratification - showed the opposite. This group of people showed high inflammation and weak antibody and antiviral genes.
The study's findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The research, led by Steven Cole, a UCLA professor of medicine and Barbara L. Fredrickson of the University of North Carolina, has taken a decade. The scientists have looked at how the human genome responds to fear, stress, misery and other negative mental states, but focused on how human genes might respond to positive psychology in this study.
Source - Daily Mail