Constant stress priming causes release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor, Interleukin 6 and others. This eventually leads to release of phagocytes in an inflammatory response. [1]
If the brain develops inflammation – even at a low level – this inflammation can severely affect how the brain processes information and decodes the meaning of sensory input and communication. It can easily misinterpret the environment or other people. The default position when we don’t understand what is going on, is primal fear… and of course more stress. Neurons can be destroyed without being replaced. This can result in brain injury, distorted thinking, delirium and depression of IQ.
Others find an outlet in working out at the gym or sports, which is a far better alternative to blowing off that steam – as long as you have plenty of magnesium to support you. If magnesium levels are low, intense physical exertion can actually be harmful as it more severely depletes magnesium.[2]
Magnesium relieves stress and helps to calm the body by relaxing muscles and dampening down the release of adrenaline and cortisol. During rest and relaxation the body can also detox and repair. Magnesium calms down inflammation. It directly modulates the priming of phagocytes for inflammation by its calcium antagonism, and indirectly by its antioxidant effects on the immune-inflammatory processes. Several studies have revealed an inverse relationship between cellular magnesium concentration (deficiency) and these potent inflammatory cytokines. As magnesium drops, the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines increases, and vice versa.
“A prolonged high serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor results in prolonged inflammation and effective damage locally and systemically. Systemic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and local organ diseases, including psoriasis and osteoarthritis are all associated with dysregulation (increased concentrations) of this cytokine.” [1]
The lower the magnesium levels get, the more prone we become to acute stress responses with the smallest of challenges - and the more we become subject to chronic inflammation, a kind of slow cellular burn that consumes the body’s resources.
The more stress the more we lose magnesium and the lower the magnesium, the more stress takes us over.
This is a perpetuating feedback loop that can lead to serious damage over time if not corrected.