“A functional genomic perspective on human well-being”
“Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from people with high levels of hedonic well-being showed up-regulated expression of a stress-related conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA) involving increased expression of proinflammatory genes and decreased expression of genes involved in antibody synthesis and type I IFN response. In contrast, high levels of eudaimonic well-being were associated with CTRA down-regulation…the human genome may be more sensitive to qualitative variations in well-being than are our conscious affective experiences.”
Translation: It is physiologically stressful to be happy as opposed to fulfilled — it activates the immune system (there is this fascinating relationship between stress and the immune system).
What would American culture be like if our media sought to fulfill us instead of entertain us?
