Define psychoneuroimmunology, and explain how the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems are linked and how they influence each other.

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The Answer is The answer should include the following information: Psychoneuroimmunology is an interdisciplinary field that studies the interconnections among psychological processes, nervous and endocrine system functions, and the immune system. The immune system is your body's surveillance system; it produces specialized white blood cells (lymphocytes) that protect the body from viruses, bacteria, and tumor cells. Historically, scientists thought that the immune system was completely independent of other body systems, including the nervous and endocrine systems. Scientists believed that psychological processes could not influence the immune system. However, research eventually demonstrated that all of these components are interconnected. First, the central nervous system and the immune system are directly linked through sympathetic nervous system fibers, which influence the production and functioning of lymphocytes. Second, the surfaces of lymphocytes contain receptor sites for neurotransmitters and hormones, including catecholamines and cortisol. Third, lymphocytes themselves produce neurotransmitters and hormones, and these substances, in turn, influence the nervous and endocrine systems. In other words, each system influences and is influenced by the other systems.

Define Psychoneuroimmunology, and Explain How the Nervous, Endocrine, and Immune