American scientists said individuals who derive their happiness from a sense of purpose showed favourable gene-expression profiles in their immune cells UCLA research found people with high levels of the type of happiness that comes from consuming goods showed weak antiviral genes Doing good and feeling good have very different effects on the human genome, even though they generate similar levels of positive emotion

By Sarah Griffiths

PUBLISHED: 11:39 EST, 30 July 2013 | UPDATED: 11:41 EST, 30 July 2013

955 shares

18

View comments

People who derive their happiness from helping others, like Mother Teresa, have strong antibody genes, UCLA scientists claim

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.

See the original post:
Be happy - your genes will thank you for it: Doing good leads to strong immune cells

Comments are closed.