BLOGGING CAN BE GOOD FOR PEOPLE – IT ACTS AS A PLACEBO FOR REAL SATISFACTION
May 29th 2008 14:07
In the May 2008 issue of Scientific American, writer Jennifer Wapner declares, “Blogging: It's Good for You.”
The Poynter Institute reports that according to Wapner, "Scientists (and writers) have long known about the therapeutic benefits of writing about personal experiences, thoughts and feelings. But besides serving as a stress-coping mechanism, expressive writing produces many physiological benefits. Research shows that it improves memory and sleep, boosts immune cell activity and reduces viral load in AIDS patients, and even speeds healing after surgery."
Summarising the piece, the writer says blogging may make people feel better because it acts as a substitute or placebo for real satisfaction. Or, according to one neuroscientist cited by Wapner, our limbic (primitive) brain may have an innate need to communicate – akin to our drives for food or sex. Thus, as people blog, their bodies may release the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine.
The Poynter Institute reports that according to Wapner, "Scientists (and writers) have long known about the therapeutic benefits of writing about personal experiences, thoughts and feelings. But besides serving as a stress-coping mechanism, expressive writing produces many physiological benefits. Research shows that it improves memory and sleep, boosts immune cell activity and reduces viral load in AIDS patients, and even speeds healing after surgery."
Summarising the piece, the writer says blogging may make people feel better because it acts as a substitute or placebo for real satisfaction. Or, according to one neuroscientist cited by Wapner, our limbic (primitive) brain may have an innate need to communicate – akin to our drives for food or sex. Thus, as people blog, their bodies may release the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine.
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