New research published in Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health suggests that how people think about the COVID-19 vaccine might shape their experience—both psychologically and biologically. Individuals with a more positive mindset about the vaccine reported fewer side effects, less anxiety on the day of vaccination, and greater happiness in the days that followed. One specific belief—that side effects signal the vaccine is working—was linked with stronger immune responses, as measured by neutralizing antibody levels, even months after vaccination. “We were interested in this topic because there’s increasing evidence that how people think about health interventions—like vaccines—can influence how they experience them,” explained study author Darwin A. Guevarra, an assistant professor of psychology at Miami University. “Given the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and the variability in people’s reactions, we wanted to know whether psychological factors, like mindsets, might help explain differences in both biological and emotional responses.” “This study adds to growing evidence that our minds and bodies are deeply connected. Even small shifts in mindset—how we frame what we’re experiencing—can potentially make a …