Activation of the brain's reward center reduced tumor size by 40-50% by decreasing a type of immune cell that supports tumor growth.

New research in mice identifies a possible mechanism explaining how a positive mental state may help suppress tumor growth.

Activation of the brain’s reward center reduced tumor size by 40-50% by decreasing a type of immune cell that supports tumor growth called myeloid-derived suppressor cells. These myeloid-derived suppressor cells promote tumor growth by shutting down other immune cells that kill tumor cells.