Bodymind: How stress fuels the fire

Artistic representation of Dr. Gabor Maté.

Stress isn't just something that affects your mind—it has a direct impact on your body too. Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned physician and expert in trauma, addiction, and stress, has conducted pioneering work on how emotional and psychological stress can lead to physical health issues. Gabor highlights the profound connection between the mind and body, explaining that unresolved emotional stress can contribute to inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and a range of chronic health conditions.

Emotional stress doesn’t only affect our emotions—it disrupts the body’s natural healing mechanisms. When we experience chronic stress, the body remains in a constant state of "fight or flight," leading to long-term inflammation and interfering with immune function. Over time, this can manifest in physical symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues, pain, and conditions such as arthritis and heart disease.

One of Gabor’s key insights is that emotional stress often has roots in early-life experiences, such as childhood trauma, neglect, or unresolved emotional conflicts. These early experiences can shape how the body responds to stress in later life. Stress doesn’t just affect our minds—it physically alters immune function and inflammatory pathways, setting the stage for chronic illness.

So it there good news? Yes. Because thank goodness for neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganise and form new neural connections in response to learning, experience, and repetition.

Gabor’s work advocates for addressing the emotional causes of stress, practising mindfulness, and developing self-compassion. Through therapies, such as counselling, yoga, and meditation, we can better manage stress, reduce inflammation, and support overall health.

In functional medicine, we recognise the importance of addressing not only the physical symptoms but also the emotional and psychological factors that drive stress and inflammation. By taking a holistic approach, we can break the cycle of chronic stress, support emotional healing, and help the body recover and thrive.