Does Anxiety Weaken Your Immune System?
Can anxiety weaken your immune system, or does poor immunity worsen anxiety? In fact, the relationship works both ways.
Anxiety elevates cortisol and disrupts immune cell activity, weakening defenses against infection. At the same time, chronic immune problems can intensify stress and anxiety, creating a cycle that impacts overall health.
This article explores that two-way connection in detail and offers insights to help you protect both your mind and body.
Before exploring further, please read the disclaimer located at the end of this webpage.
Key Takeaways
- Chronic anxiety raises cortisol levels, which can suppress immune function.
- Long-term stress may reduce T-cells, white blood cells, and vaccine response.
- Immune suppression from stress increases susceptibility to infections.
- There is a two-way link between poor immunity and worsened anxiety.
- Managing anxiety through lifestyle changes can help improve immune resilience.
Does Anxiety Affect the Immune System?
Yes. The link between anxiety and immune system function is well documented. Chronic anxiety can weaken the immune system by raising cortisol, lowering T-cells and white blood cells, and disrupting cytokine balance. This may reduce infection defense, slow recovery, and increase vulnerability to illness.
How Your Immune System Connects to Anxiety
The immune system defends the body against infections and abnormal cells, but does anxiety affect immune system health? Evidence suggests that chronic stress does.
Prolonged stress triggers cortisol and catecholamine release, over time, suppresses T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells, lowering immune defense [2,4,6].
Research shows this suppression weakens responses to infections and vaccines, while also promoting inflammatory cytokines that heighten anxiety and distress [1,5,11].
Importantly, the relationship is two-way: immune dysregulation can amplify inflammation, which may further increase anxious feelings [8,13].
Managing anxiety through lifestyle and stress-reduction strategies has been shown to help restore immune resilience (Voss et al., 2020).
Cortisol and Your Immune System Explained Simply
Cortisol is the body’s main stress hormone, part of the HPA axis response to stress. In short bursts, it boosts immune defenses by activating natural killer cells and promoting inflammatory cytokines that help fight infection [7,8,9,10].
However, when stress or anxiety is prolonged, cortisol remains chronically high, suppressing T-cells, B-cells, and white blood cells, which are one of the main ways anxiety can lower your immune system and reduce vaccine response [2,4,5,6,11].
Over time, this leads to immune dysregulation and greater vulnerability to infections. In essence, cortisol is protective in short-term stress but harmful when persistently elevated [1,8,9].
What Short‑Term vs. Long‑Term Stress Does to You
Short-term stress (fight or flight) briefly boosts immunity by releasing hormones like norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol, which mobilize immune cells (monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes) into the bloodstream and toward potential infection sites [7,8,9,10].
This rapid redistribution enhances immune readiness, wound healing, and even vaccine response [2,8,9].
In contrast, long-term stress keeps cortisol chronically elevated, suppressing T-cells, B-cells, and white blood cells.
This leads to reduced immune defense, slower healing, chronic inflammation, and greater susceptibility to illness [1,4,6,11]. Over time, unmanaged stress weakens immunity and raises health risks [5,12,13].
How to Know Stress Is Affecting Your Body
Stress can affect the body in many ways, including anxiety, irritability, fatigue, poor sleep, and digestive issues.
Physical signs may also include headaches, muscle tension, chest pain, jaw clenching, or skin problems. Frequent illness or changes in appetite and libido can also signal that stress is taking a toll.
Can a Weak Immune System Make Anxiety Worse?
A weak immune system can make anxiety worse. When the immune system is compromised, the body struggles to fight infections and recover, leading to higher vulnerability and chronic inflammation.
These physical challenges often increase feelings of worry and emotional distress, creating more stress for the individual [13,14].
Studies show that anxiety disorders are linked to immune dysregulation, including reduced activity of T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells [13,17].
This weakened immunity not only raises susceptibility to illness but also contributes to a cycle where poor immune function fuels anxiety, while ongoing anxiety further suppresses immune responses [14,15,16,17,18]. Managing both immunity and stress is key to breaking this loop.
Simple Ways to Lower Stress and Boost Immunity
-
Practice deep breathing
-
Talk with someone you trust
-
Meditate or do mindfulness
-
Maintain good sleep habits
-
Exercise regularly (moderate)
-
Stay socially connected
-
Spend time in nature
-
Practice gratitude and positive thinking
-
Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
-
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
These lifestyle habits help reduce chronic stress, thereby reducing cortisol levels and improving immune function for better health overall [15,16,18].
Conclusion
Chronic anxiety can weaken your immune system by elevating stress hormones, disrupting immune cell activity, and increasing inflammation.
Understanding how anxiety affects the immune system helps you take steps to protect your health.
Managing anxiety isn’t just about feeling better - it may help support your immune defenses over time.
Testimonial Disclaimer
*The testimonials presented on this website are provided by individuals based on their personal experiences with our products. These testimonials represent individual opinions and experiences, which may not be typical or applicable to all users of our products. Results may vary depending on a variety of factors, including individual health, lifestyle, and adherence to product usage instructions.References
- [1] Stein. (2025). Immune system. Relationship to anxiety disorders. The Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 11(2). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3047704/
- [2] Graham, J. E., Christian, L. M., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2006). Stress, Age, and Immune Function: Toward a Lifespan Approach. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29(4), 389–400. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-006-9057-4
- [3] Kang, M., Choi, J. K., Jittayasothorn, Y., & Egwuagu, C. E. (2020). Interleukin 35-Producing Exosomes Suppress Neuroinflammation and Autoimmune Uveitis. Frontiers in Immunology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01051
- [4] Padalkar, P., Doshi, P. R., & Padwal, M. (2025). Investigating the Relationship Between Cortisol, a Stress Marker, and Immune Function Across Age and Gender. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.85009
- [5] Morey, J. N., Boggero, I. A., Scott, A. B., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2015). Current directions in stress and human immune function. Current Opinion in Psychology, 5, 13–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.03.007
- [6] Padgett, D. A., & Glaser, R. (2003). How stress influences the immune response. Trends in Immunology, 24(8), 444–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1471-4906(03)00173-x
- [7] Goldman, B. (2012, June 21). Study explains how stress can boost immune system. News Center. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/06/study-explains-how-stress-can-boost-immune-system.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- [8] Dhabhar, F. S. (2014). Effects of stress on immune function: the good, the bad, and the beautiful. Immunologic Research, 58(2-3), 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-014-8517-0
- [9] Dhabhar, F. S. (2018). The short-term stress response – Mother nature’s mechanism for enhancing protection and performance under conditions of threat, challenge, and opportunity. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 49, 175–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.03.004
- [10] Jabr, F. (2013, August). How Short-Term Stress Boosts Immune Systems. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/short-term-stress-boosts-immune-systems/
- [11] Ullmann, E., Perry, S. W., Licinio, J., Wong, M.-L., Eliyahu Dremencov, Zavjalov, E. L., Shevelev, O. B., Khotskin, N. V., Koncevaya, G. V., Khotshkina, A. S., Moshkin, M. P., Lapshin, M. S., Komelkova, M. V., Feklicheva, I. V., Tseilikman, O. B., Cherkasova, O. P., Bhui, K. S., Jones, E., Kirschbaum, C., & Bornstein, S. R. (2019). From Allostatic Load to Allostatic State—An Endogenous Sympathetic Strategy to Deal With Chronic Anxiety and Stress? Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00047
- [12] Voss, A., Bogdanski, M., Langohr, B., Albrecht, R., & Sandbothe, M. (2020). Mindfulness-Based Student Training Leads to a Reduction in Physiological Evaluated Stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00645
- [13] Bhandari, T. (2020, September 14). Immune system affects mind and body, study indicates | WashU Medicine. WashU Medicine. https://medicine.washu.edu/news/immune-system-affects-both-mind-and-body-study-indicates/
- [14] How Much Sleep Is Enough. (2022, March 24). NHLBI, NIH. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation/how-much-sleep
- [15] 25 Quick Ways to Reduce Stress. (2025). Colorado Law. https://www.colorado.edu/law/25-quick-ways-reduce-stress
- [16] Foods to Boost Your Immune System | Brown University Health. (2022). Brown University Health. https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/foods-boost-your-immune-system
- [17] How to boost your immune system - Harvard Health. (2014, September 22). Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
- [18] Relaxation techniques: Try these steps to lower stress. (2025). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/relaxation-technique/art-20045368
Author
Product Disclaimer
Including an ingredient or study does not evaluate, endorse, or recommend any Vinatura product or any third-party product. Some ingredients discussed may not be used in any Vinatura product.
The content of the articles has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not intended to promote or endorse any specific product. Any products sold on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Opinions and Endorsements
Any claims, statements, or opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the manufacturers of the dietary supplement products. The products sold on this website are separate from the content of the articles and are not directly endorsed or associated with the information presented here.
Liability Disclaimer
The author(s) of the articles, website, and manufacturers of the dietary supplement products do not assume any liability for any potential consequences arising from the use of the information provided in the articles. Ingredient effects, dosages, and safety vary by individual, formulation, and context; some ingredients interact with medications or may be unsuitable during pregnancy or lactation. It is recommended that individuals consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes, including the use of dietary supplements.
Product Usage
Please refer to the product labels and packaging for specific usage instructions and guidelines for the dietary supplement products sold on this website.
Customer Support
For any concerns or questions regarding the dietary supplement products, please contact our customer support team, who will be more than happy to assist you.
Leave a Comment
Be the first to comment.
What do you think?