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Inflammation can have a significant impact on the brain. It can lead to immune responses in the brain, affecting cognitive function and causing symptoms such as memory lapses, confusion, depression, decreased physical activity, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Systemic inflammation can disrupt the blood-brain barrier, allowing proinflammatory agents to enter the brain and trigger an inflammatory response, which may lead to cognitive and behavioral symptoms. In neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, chronic inflammation can lead to overactive immune cells in the brain, causing increased inflammatory responses. Prolonged, elevated inflammation can also lead to a leakier blood-brain barrier, allowing immune cells to release inflammatory agents and cause neuroinflammation. This can ultimately alter key neural circuits and affect brain health. (1 2 3)

The immune system plays a crucial role in brain function, affecting mood, energy, and cognitive ability. Research suggests that the brain's cognitive function, plasticity, and ability to cope with psychiatric stress are dependent on the immune system(1). The interaction between the immune system and the brain is increasingly recognized as a key factor in cognitive dysfunction in various psychiatric disorders. Additionally, inflammation, which is regulated by the immune system, is increasingly implicated in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases(2) Furthermore, physical activity, which is associated with immune function and neuroprotection, has been shown to have immune and neuroprotective effects on the brain in depression(3). These findings underscore the significant impact of immune function on brain health and its influence on mood, energy, and cognitive abilities.

Chronic stress can have a profound impact on brain health, affecting mood, energy, and cognitive ability. Prolonged stress can lead to the shrinkage of brain areas associated with regulating emotions, metabolism, and memory, potentially impairing cognitive function and mood regulation(1). Long-term increases in cortisol, a hormone released during stress, can damage the brain's prefrontal cortex, essential for focused attention and executive function, leading to cognitive impairment(2). Additionally, chronic stress has been associated with memory impairment, decreased attention span, and even the killing of new neurons in the brain's hippocampus(3). These changes can contribute to difficulties in learning, memory, and emotional regulation. Furthermore, stress promotes inflammation, which can adversely affect heart health and contribute to cognitive problems(4).

Poor brain health due to inflammation can have far-reaching effects on mood and mental health, contributing to conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, panic, ADHD, and PTSD. Research has established a strong association between depression and a chronic, low-grade inflammatory response in the brain, with increased oxidative and nitrosative stress contributing to the progression of the disorder(1,2). Inflammation has been linked to a 30% increase in the brains of individuals with severe depression, and it is increasingly recognized as a driver of depressive symptoms independent of other physical illness(2). Furthermore, chronic inflammation has been associated with increased risk for the development of various psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and PTSD(3). The specificity of the impact of inflammation on behavior is becoming increasingly apparent, with evidence suggesting that it affects neurocircuits and neurotransmitter systems associated with mood and cognitive function(4).

The common causes of neuroinflammation that impact mood, energy, cognitive ability, and sleep include chronic sleep deprivation, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stress. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to low-grade neuroinflammation, resulting in anxiety, learning and memory impairments, and mood disturbances(1). TBI is also a significant factor, as it can lead to neuroinflammation and subsequent neuropsychiatric outcomes, including mood disturbances and cognitive dysfunctions(1). Additionally, stress has been associated with the shrinkage of brain areas regulating emotions, metabolism, and memory, which can contribute to neuroinflammation and its impact on mood and cognitive function(2). Furthermore, acute sleep deprivation has been shown to disrupt emotion, cognition, inflammation, and cortisol levels, indicating a strong link between sleep disruption, inflammation, and mood changes(3). Therefore, addressing these factors is crucial in mitigating the impact of neuroinflammation on mental well-being.