Stress is an adaptive response common to all living organisms. The body’s stress response system involves the activation of what is known as the corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) releasing pathway. Current research indicates that that activation of the CRF pathway impacts upon the functioning of the immunological response, in that the CRF pathway response stimulates over-activity of immunological chemicals.

(De Giorgio R, Bassotti G, Stanghellini V, et al. Clinical, morpho-functional and immunological features of idiopathic myenteric ganglionitis. Gastroenterology 1996;110).

A further recent study has shown that there is a link between stress and an overactive inflammatory response. In a study that was published in the Sep. 1, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, individuals with major depression were shown to have an exaggerated inflammatory response to psychological stress in comparison to those who do not have depression. These findings suggest that increased inflammatory response to stress in depressed patients may be a link between depression and other diseases, brought on by an overactive inflammatory system.