Stress May Be Hiding Without You Even Realising It

Chronic Stress: The Hidden Trigger That Can Cause the Immune System to Attack Itself (Autoimmunity)

In today’s fast-paced world, “chronic stress” affects far more than our mental wellbeing. Scientific evidence increasingly shows that it is a key factor that can trigger autoimmune diseases by disrupting a deep internal regulatory system known as the “HPA axis”.

What Is the HPA Axis, and Why Is It Important for the Immune System?

The HPA axis, or Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, is the main communication system between the brain and the adrenal glands. When we experience stress, the brain releases stimulating hormones that lead to the production of “cortisol”.

Under normal conditions, cortisol acts like the body’s “brake”, helping to reduce inflammation and preventing the immune system from becoming overactive.

When the “Brake” Breaks: How Stress Can Lead to Autoimmune Disease

Problems begin when stress accumulates over a long period. The body may enter a state known as “glucocorticoid receptor resistance”.

• Cortisol becomes less effective: Even when cortisol levels are high, the body can no longer respond properly to its anti-inflammatory signals.
• Inflammatory cytokines rise: The body continues to release inflammatory substances such as IL-6 and TNF-α.
• The immune system loses its ability to distinguish: It begins to lose the ability to differentiate between foreign antigens and the body’s own cells, a process known as loss of self-tolerance.

Effects on Different Systems in the Body

HPA axis dysfunction caused by chronic stress can have wide-ranging effects, including:

• Nervous system: Promotes inflammation in the brain, potentially contributing to depression and increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Cardiovascular system: Increases the risk of high blood pressure and vascular inflammation.
• Digestive system: Disrupts gut function and the balance of gut microbiota through the gut-brain axis.
• Skin: Slows wound healing and may trigger inflammatory skin conditions.
• Muscular system: Abnormal cortisol regulation can contribute to muscle wasting and chronic pain.

How to Rebalance the HPA Axis and Support Immune Recovery

Research suggests that these effects can be reduced through natural approaches and lifestyle changes.

1. Mindfulness practice: Helps reduce the stress response and supports balanced cortisol levels.
2. Exposure to nature: Spending time in natural environments can significantly lower cortisol levels.
3. Appropriate exercise: Helps reduce fatigue and pain in people with inflammatory joint conditions.
4. Holistic health care: Good sleep quality and a healthy diet can support overall hormonal and immune balance.

This article highlights that when stress becomes chronic, “cortisol”, the body’s anti-inflammatory brake, may begin to malfunction. This is sometimes described as hormonal resistance. What makes this concerning is that we may not be able to tell from external symptoms alone whether our internal “brake” is already close to breaking down.

If you are experiencing ongoing fatigue, poor sleep, or frequent minor illnesses, these may be warning signs from your adrenal glands.

Do not wait until the body enters a state of autoimmunity. Start by checking the health of your HPA axis and cortisol levels with an “Adrenal Fatigue Test Program” to support better long-term health.

References

Nunez, S. G., Rabelo, S. P., Subotic, N., Caruso, J. W., & Knezevic, N. N. (2025). Chronic stress and autoimmunity: The role of HPA axis and cortisol dysregulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(20), 9994. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26209994