Gratitude's Neural and Physical Benefits

Jennifer Lapierre
Jul 9
2 min read

Updated: Jul 10

We've all witnessed the overabundance of the word "grateful" on T-shirts, throw pillows, mugs, wall hangings, and any other printable object possible. As passé and annoying as this trend is, however, the topic of gratitude is more timely than ever. Even if the world seems to be falling apart, we are doing our mind and body a disservice if we don’t practice active gratitude for the good things and good people in our lives.

Neurobiologist Andrew Huberman discusses how brain research indicates that gratitude activates specific neural circuits, promoting positive emotions and reducing anxiety and fear circuits. Gratitude practices can decrease activity in the amygdala, the brain region associated with fear and anxiety responses. By reducing these fear-based circuits, gratitude can help us feel more easygoing and better at handling stressful situations. It also strengthens our serotonin pathways, promoting feelings of well-being, contentment, and social connection.

Regular gratitude practice actually shifts brain function toward well-being and motivation, and affects the neural connectivity between the brain and the heart, further highlighting its broad physiological benefits.

I was surprised to learn that gratitude can also reduce inflammation and "stress markers" like TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha) and IL-6 (Interleukin-6. These are cytokines -- signaling molecules that mediate communication between cells. Elevated levels of these are associated with inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and sepsis It's pretty amazing that gratitude can actually get them to back off.

Some may argue that it's hard to feel grateful, given the current situation. We've got wars, protests, ICE raids, the economy is tanking, anxiety and depression are rampant, child obesity and autism are at an all-time high, groceries are 28% more costly since the pandemic, rent is unaffordable, home ownership is a pipe dream for most people, and on and on it goes. Yet, there are still things for which to be grateful. I'm not a Pollyanna forcing some feel-good narrative, but instead trying to look at the glass as half-full, because it is. If there's something in your life that is good, why not acknowledge it?

Try getting a little notebook and write down five things each day that make you feel gratitude. They can be seemingly small things, but it doesn't matter. When we force ourselves to acknowledge the good stuff, it's not only harder to feel lack, but the benefits to brain/heart/overall physiology are scientifically proven. Here's my list from today... maybe it will inspire you to stay grateful, too.