How Your Immune System Impacts Your Feelings - AI Podcast

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