May 10, 2025

How Your Immune System Impacts Your Feelings - AI Podcast

9 minutes

Story at-a-glance

New research shows inflammation directly influences mood and behavior by sending chemical signals that activate anxiety circuits in the brain, helping to explain emotional aftereffects of illness
Specific inflammatory cytokines stimulate neurons in brain regions responsible for processing fear, while anti-inflammatory signals calm these same neural pathways
Scientists discovered that certain immune molecules function like neurotransmitters in the brain, influencing social behavior and emotional states independently of inflammation
Blocking inflammation incorrectly backfires; it triggers more intense anxiety as the body produces additional inflammatory messengers that overstimulate fear circuitry
Managing inflammation-related mood issues requires reducing linoleic acid (LA) intake from vegetable oils, supporting mitochondrial function, getting safe sun exposure, avoiding alcohol and monitoring emotional symptoms after illness

...more

By Dr. Mercola

4.6

14671,467 ratings

May 10, 2025

9 minutes

Story at-a-glance

New research shows inflammation directly influences mood and behavior by sending chemical signals that activate anxiety circuits in the brain, helping to explain emotional aftereffects of illness
Specific inflammatory cytokines stimulate neurons in brain regions responsible for processing fear, while anti-inflammatory signals calm these same neural pathways
Scientists discovered that certain immune molecules function like neurotransmitters in the brain, influencing social behavior and emotional states independently of inflammation
Blocking inflammation incorrectly backfires; it triggers more intense anxiety as the body produces additional inflammatory messengers that overstimulate fear circuitry
Managing inflammation-related mood issues requires reducing linoleic acid (LA) intake from vegetable oils, supporting mitochondrial function, getting safe sun exposure, avoiding alcohol and monitoring emotional symptoms after illness

...more