The Hygiene Hypothesis is the idea that as we stop being exposed to dirt and germs because of too much cleanliness, we develop more allergies and asthma. Our bodies immune system is primed and ready to defend us against multiple old and new threats, and when they do not come, it overreacts to things that are largely harmless. It is like we have an immune army within us, ready to fight the invader with many weapons, when threats fail to appear, the bored army starts to attack anything at all, whether it be pollens, bits of food, or even parts of the body itself.
Perhaps our anxiety epidemic in the midst of unparalleled safety can be partly explained by this too. Our minds are primed to respond to threats and danger; when they do not arise, we must imagine them.
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