Episode 90: Can Chronic Stress Cause Autoimmune Disease? Here’s What You Need to Know
Are you constantly tired, foggy, bloated, or anxious—and still told it’s “just stress”? In this episode, we answer one of the most searched and misunderstood health questions: Can chronic stress cause autoimmune disease? With science-backed insights and real patient stories, we break down how prolonged stress can silently dysregulate your immune system, disrupt hormone balance, impair gut function, and set the stage for autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
You’ll learn the exact biological mechanisms behind stress-related immune dysfunction—from cortisol resistance and HPA axis dysregulation to leaky gut and inflammation. We explain why stress might be the silent cause of autoimmune disease, and why stress is more than emotional; it’s immunological, hormonal, and neurological. This episode also reveals the early warning signs that your immune system is under stress, even before a diagnosis appears, and shares strategies to test and address the root cause using a functional medicine approach.
This episode answers questions like:
“How does chronic stress trigger autoimmune disease?”
“How to tell if stress is affecting your immune system”
“What is cortisol resistance?”
“What are the early signs of autoimmune diseases?”
“Natural ways to support the immune system with stress”
“Functional medicine approach to autoimmune disorders”
“How to fix leaky gut and immune dysfunction”
Whether you're already living with autoimmunity or feel like something is “off” in your health, this episode will help you connect the dots, understand your body, and take action. Walk away with the tools to build immune resilience, lower stress at the cellular level, and support your healing journey from the inside out.
DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and related website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. It is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat, instead it is designed to help educate and inspire. Always seek the advice of a professional medical practitioner or qualified health practitioner. Never ignore or disregard advice given to you based on information in this podcast or related website and do not delay in seeking medical advice.
Timestamps:
[03:15] - What is stress?
Understand how acute vs. chronic stress impacts your biology, hormones, and long-term health.
[04:15] - What is autoimmunity?
Learn how the immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues—and why this is becoming increasingly common.
[05:00] - How cortisol affects inflammation and immune regulation
We connect the dots between chronic stress, immune burnout, leaky gut, and autoimmune conditions.
[12:35] - Early signs of stress-driven immune dysfunction
From fatigue and brain fog to hormonal imbalances and gut issues—spot these red flags early.
[17:20] - What can you do about it?
Learn what tests and health markers you should consider if stress is affecting your immune system.
[12:20] - Case study: Psoriasis and long COVID
A real-world story showing how nervous system support and lifestyle shifts triggered immune healing.
“Chronic stress is not just emotional—it’s biological. It impacts your hormones, your gut, and your immune system in ways we often ignore until a diagnosis forces us to pay attention”
Essential learnings from this episode…
Chronic stress can silently trigger autoimmune disease. It alters cortisol, inflames the gut, and weakens immune regulation, years before symptoms arise.
Your HPA axis plays a critical role in immune health. Dysregulation of cortisol leads to both immune suppression and chronic inflammation.
Early signs of immune dysfunction often get dismissed. Brain fog, exhaustion, food sensitivities, and anxiety may be your body’s first whispers.
The gut-brain-immune axis is key to autoimmune risk. Stress increases leaky gut and reduces microbial diversity, fueling immune overreaction.
Functional medicine offers testing and solutions. Tools like cortisol panels, gut testing, and autoantibody screens catch issues early.
Healing starts with nervous system support. Breathwork, nature, boundaries, and anti-inflammatory nutrition are non-negotiables for immune resilience.
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