Why do stress hormones suppress the immune system?

Immune System Suppression. When you are stressed – that is, in 'fight or flight' mode – your body begins producing more of the stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol works to prepare your body to run away from the threat it thinks you're facing. read more

Typically, most people think that stress inhibits or suppresses the immune system (immunosuppression) and it does. However, it depends on the type and duration of the stress. As you might expect, acute stress actually ramps up innate immunity. read more

Stress can affect your immune system in two ways: By creating chronic inflammation that harms tissues; By suppressing immune cells needed to fight infection; How Stress Weakens The Immune System. Research has shown that those exposed to chronic social conflict experience high levels of stress and subsequent dysregulation of the immune system. read more

The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system (e.g. lowers the number of lymphocytes). Stress can also have an indirect effect on the immune system as a person may use unhealthy behavioral coping strategies to reduce their stress, such as drinking and smoking. read more