Activated through permanent stress, immune cells will have a damaging effect on and cause changes to the brain. This may result in mental disorders. The effects of permanent stress on the immune system are studied by the research group at the LWL university clinic at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB).
Stress activates the immune system
The team focused mainly on a certain type of phagocytes, namely microglia. Under normal circumstances, they repair synapses between nerves cells in the brain and stimulate their growth. Once activated, however, microglia may damage nerve cells and trigger inflammation processes. The studies carried out in Bochum have shown that the more frequently microglia get triggered due to stress, the more they are inclined to remain in the destructive mode — a risk factor for mental diseases.
Susceptibility for stress effects varies from individual to individual
Not every individual who is under permanent stress will develop a mental disorder. US researchers demonstrated as far back as the 1950s that children born of mothers who contracted true viral influenza during pregnancy were seven times as likely to suffer schizophrenia later in life.
The researchers from Bochum confirmed this hypothesis in animal models. Now, they a striving to research into the mechanism that makes people susceptible to this disease.
Dr. Keith & Laurie Nemec’s comments on “Are Mental Disorders Caused By Permanent Stress?”:
What does stress do? It causes the secretion of a hormone called cortisol. This hormone has many beneficial functions which include:
- Mobilizes and increases amino acids, the building blocks of protein, in the blood and liver.
- Mobilizes and increases fatty acids in the blood (from fat cells) to be used as fuel for energy production.
- Counteracts inflammation and allergies.
- Maintains resistance to stress (e.g., infections, physical trauma, temperature extremes, emotional trauma, etc.).
- Maintains mood and emotional stability.
But when Cortisol becomes in Excess or Decreased it:
- Increases blood sugar levels.
- Decreases protein synthesis.
- Increases protein breakdown that can lead to muscle wasting.
- Causes demineralization of bone that can lead to osteoporosis.
- Diminishes immune cell numbers and functions
This immune system suppression may lead to increased susceptibility to allergies, infections, and degenerative disease and CANCER.
Also long-term exposure to cortisol damages cells in the hippocampus in the brain; this damage results in impaired learning. Furthermore, it has been shown that cortisol inhibits memory retrieval of already stored information.
So you can see that stress is bad for the mind, emotions, brain and body. So what are you supposed to do move to an island away from everyone and everything that could stress you? No remember you are in this world but not of this world. This world is your training ground not your home so you are never to get too comfortable on planet earth because you are not truly a citizen of this world but of Heaven being sons and daughters of God.
So what is the best way to destress and heal or save your brain, mind and body? Live fully in the moment with no needs because your Father in Heaven meets all your needs if you by faith, live a life trusting Him 100% that what He said is true and what He speaks to your heart will eventually manifest if you keep watering the seed of Truth that was planted in your heart.
Phil 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.NIV
Do not every let this world steal your JOY. Do not let the physical and mental block the spiritual gifts that are yours IN HIM. Many of our patients have been set free of their fears and doubts with our teaching on knowing who you are in Christ. The audio series is called “sally & george- Going Deeper”
