3404: Does Stress Contribute to Autoimmune Disease? The Mind-Body Connection on Health And Stress

Friday, May 22, 2026
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3404: Dr. Neal Malik answers the question of whether chronic psychological stress can contribute to autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Drawing from decades of research and real-world examples, he explains how stress may affect the immune system and shares evidence-based lifestyle strategies that could help reduce symptoms and support long-term health. Quotes to ponder: “Long-term stress can also make the immune system hyperactive.” “When the body’s immune system starts to attack its own healthy cells, we now call this a kind of autoimmune disease.” “Based on the evidence so far, a separate group of researchers have gone so far as to declare rheumatoid arthritis as a stress-related illness.” Episode references: Arthritis Foundation – Rheumatoid Arthritis: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases – Rheumatoid Arthritis: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rheumatoid-arthritis Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet – National Institutes of Health: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/ Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/ Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA): https://jamanetwork.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices