Inflammation is the immune system’s response to injury or infection. If you cut yourself and the area turns red and swollen, that’s inflammation: immune cells are rushing in to fight germs and repair tissue. But inflammation can also happen inside the body during illness, and low-level inflammation can be caused by obesity or aging. “A marker of that inflammation tends to be elevated cytokines in people’s blood,” says Professor Daniel M Davis, head of life sciences at Imperial College London and author of Immune Health: A Myth-Busting Guide. “They’re the molecules immune cells use to communicate with each other.”
There are over 100 types of cytokines in your body, and some affect the brain. “If you have a fever, it’s not just physical, you’re also mentally affected,” says Davis. “Some cytokines influence how you feel.”
We haven’t untangled this enough to know what part of the immune system to target to improve people’s mental health.
Studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have found that anti-inflammatory drugs that block cytokines can also improve mood. Brain scans suggest this may be because blocking cytokines changes brain activity.
A study of nearly 5,000 children found that those with higher-than-average levels of the cytokine IL-6 in their blood at age nine, with no signs of depression, were more likely to develop depression by age 18. Another study, this time in adults, found a link between developing an immune-related disease and having a previous diagnosis of psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Scientists don’t yet know enough to use this knowledge to treat conditions like depression or anxiety. “Several lines of evidence point to an overlap of immune and mental health, but we haven’t untangled this enough to know who could benefit, and exactly what part of the immune system we could safely target to improve people’s mental health,” says Davis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about the link between inflammation and mental health written in a natural conversational tone with clear and simple answers
Beginner Questions
1 What exactly is inflammation
Inflammation is your bodys natural defense system When you get a cut or an infection your immune system sends white blood cells to the area to fight off germs and start the healing process This is acute inflammation and its a good thing The problem is when this response never fully shuts off leading to chronic inflammation
2 How can inflammation in my body affect my brain
Your brain isnt isolated from the rest of your body When theres chronic inflammation the alarm signals travel through your bloodstream and can cross the bloodbrain barrier This can trigger inflammation in the brain itself which disrupts the delicate chemical balance needed for a stable mood clear thinking and good energy levels
3 Does this mean my depression is just a physical illness
Not exactly Its more accurate to say that mental health and physical health are deeply connected Inflammation is one major piece of the puzzle It can make you more vulnerable to depression or make existing symptoms worse but its rarely the only cause Its a combination of genetics life experiences stress diet and your physical health
4 Is it normal to feel tired and foggy when Im sick
Absolutely That feeling of fatigue brain fog and low mood when you have the flu is a perfect example of how inflammation affects the brain Your body is sending chemical signals to your brain to make you rest and conserve energy When that response becomes chronic those same feelings can stick around long after the infection is gone
5 Can changing my diet really help my mental health
Yes it can be a powerful tool but its not a magic cure An antiinflammatory dietrich in fruits vegetables whole grains and healthy fats like omega3sgives your body the nutrients it needs to regulate the immune system Conversely a diet high in processed foods sugar and unhealthy fats can promote inflammation Think of food as fuel for your system better fuel leads to a smootherrunning engine
Advanced Deeper Questions
