News & Articles
Optimism is Good for You
Copyright 2004 by Edward Willett
Perhaps, Dr. Giltay and his colleagues say, there are actual biological benefits to being Sunny Sue instead of Gloomy Gus (not that they used those terms, of course!). Perhaps there is a linkage between genes that predispose people to depression and genes that control the immune and hormone systems.
Just last year, British scientists linked a gene called 5-HTT to the predisposition toward depression some people have. 5-HTT controls how well the brain uses serotonin, a signaling chemical linked to mood whose levels are also manipulated by anti-depressants such as Prozac. Variations in the gene seem to play a major role in how well people deal with stress.
That's not to say that 5-HTT or any other gene is an "optimism gene" that determines how optimistic you are. There is a very complex interplay between environmental factors and our genes at all levels, which is why some people get cancer after exposure to carcinogens and other people don't.
If you're pessimistic, you're now figuring, "Great. I'll bet I'm genetically gloomy. I'm doomed." Whereas if you're optimistic, you're thinking, "Great! I'll bet I'm genetically gleeful! I'm going to live forever!"
Reference - http://www.edwardwillett.com/Columns/optimism.htm
Perhaps, Dr. Giltay and his colleagues say, there are actual biological benefits to being Sunny Sue instead of Gloomy Gus (not that they used those terms, of course!). Perhaps there is a linkage between genes that predispose people to depression and genes that control the immune and hormone systems.
Just last year, British scientists linked a gene called 5-HTT to the predisposition toward depression some people have. 5-HTT controls how well the brain uses serotonin, a signaling chemical linked to mood whose levels are also manipulated by anti-depressants such as Prozac. Variations in the gene seem to play a major role in how well people deal with stress.
That's not to say that 5-HTT or any other gene is an "optimism gene" that determines how optimistic you are. There is a very complex interplay between environmental factors and our genes at all levels, which is why some people get cancer after exposure to carcinogens and other people don't.
If you're pessimistic, you're now figuring, "Great. I'll bet I'm genetically gloomy. I'm doomed." Whereas if you're optimistic, you're thinking, "Great! I'll bet I'm genetically gleeful! I'm going to live forever!"
Reference - http://www.edwardwillett.com/Columns/optimism.htm
