Chronic stress is a prolonged or repeated experience of stress that can negatively impact physical and mental health due to sustained activation of the body's stress response system.
Ranked by community outcomes, then evidence grade, Health Voice mentions, and recency.
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Vitamin D3 may help mitigate chronic stress by influencing neurotransmitter synthesis and regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is central to the stress response.
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Rhodiola may help the body adapt to chronic stress by modulating the HPA axis and stress-activated protein kinases, thereby improving stress response and reducing fatigue.
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Holy Basil may help manage chronic stress by modulating the HPA axis and reducing cortisol levels, which supports the body's adaptation to stressors.
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Supports adrenal and nervous function
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Omega-3 fish oil may help reduce chronic stress by modulating inflammatory pathways and supporting brain health, which can improve mood regulation and stress resilience.
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Passionflower may reduce chronic stress by modulating GABAergic and opioid systems, leading to an anxiolytic effect and promoting a sense of calm.
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Calms HPA axis and improves sleep
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Calms stress and aids sleep
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Reduces anxiety symptoms
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Adaptogen lowering cortisol
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Calms acute stress
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Adaptogen for stress resilience
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Calms the nervous system without sedation
Why it may help Chronic Stress: Valerian root may help alleviate chronic stress by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain, which promotes relaxation and reduces nerve excitability.
Community outcomes
Self-reported by community members · not medical advice.
Self-reported community outcomes. Not medical advice. Requires at least three reports per remedy to surface.
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Community Discussions
How global health authorities view Chronic Stress.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) acknowledges that mind and body practices like meditation, yoga, and tai chi can help manage stress. They also note that some herbal supplements, such as adaptogens, are used traditionally for stress, though more rigorous research is often needed to confirm efficacy and safety. The Mayo Clinic emphasizes lifestyle changes, including exercise, sleep, and stress management techniques, as primary approaches. While specific natural remedies are often discussed, major bodies generally recommend consulting healthcare providers before using supplements, especially for chronic conditions.
Indexed studies for Chronic Stress, grouped by source type and quality.
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Pooled analyses across multiple human trials.
Yuan D, Wang M, Bu S, Mu T, Li Y · International journal of behavioral medicine · 2024
Allostatic load (AL) is a biological tool for objectively assessing chronic stress and has been discussed inconsistently for its correlation with socioeconomic factors and unhealthy lifestyles. Therefore, this meta-analysis was performed to explore the impact of socioeconomic factors and unhealthy lifestyles on AL. Different databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCOhost, Embase, CNKI, VIP, SinoMed, and Wanfang, were searched from inception to June 6, 2023. A total of 25 studies, reporting the correlations of seven socioeconomic factors and three unhealthy lifestyles with AL, were finally included. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were examined using random-effect and fixed-effect models. Literature quality, heterogeneity, and publication bias were evaluated. The meta-analysis showed a significantly increased risk of high AL in the older individuals as compared to the younger ones (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06), in the individual wit
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 years of unpredictable chronic stress in zebrafish.
Gallas-Lopes M, Bastos LM, Benvenutti R, Panzenhagen AC, Piato A, Herrmann AP · Lab animal · 2023
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a model animal that is being increasingly used in neuroscience research. A decade ago, the first study on unpredictable chronic stress (UCS) in zebrafish was published, inspired by protocols established for rodents in the early 1980s. Since then, several studies have been published by different groups, in some cases with conflicting results. Here we conducted a systematic review to identify studies evaluating the effects of UCS in zebrafish and meta-analytically synthetized the data of neurobehavioral outcomes and relevant biomarkers. Literature searches were performed in three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) with a two-step screening process based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The included studies underwent extraction of qualitative and quantitative data, as well as risk-of-bias assessment. Outcomes of included studies (n = 38) were grouped into anxiety/fear-related behavior, locomotor function, social behavior or cortisol
Li Y, Jia W, Yan N, Hua Y, Han T, Yang J · Journal of affective disorders · 2023 · n=455
This review systematically examined the associations between chronic stress and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in children, and the potential modification effects of type, measurement period and scales of chronic stress, child age and sex, hair length and HCC measurement method, characteristics of study site, and congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC. Pubmed, Wed of Science, and APA PsycINFO were systematically searched for articles examining the association between chronic stress and HCC. Thirteen studies from five countries with 1,455 participants were included in the systematic review and nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that chronic stress was associated with HCC (pooled-r = 0.09, 95 % CI: 0.03, 0.16). Stratified analyses revealed that type, measurement time and scales of chronic stress, hair length and measurement method of HCC, and the congruence between time periods measured for chronic stre
Structured reviews of the full body of evidence (incl. Cochrane).
Relationship between stress hyperglycaemic ratio (SHR) and critical illness: a systematic review.
Song G, Liu X, Lu Z, Guan J, Chen X, Li Y · Cardiovascular diabetology · 2025
Stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) is a physiological response to acute or chronic stress characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. It is prevalent in both patients with and without diabetes, particularly those with acute or critical illnesses. The development of SIH is characterized by complex interactions among catecholamines, cortisol, and inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, resulting in increased hepatic glucose production and insulin resistance. While mild to moderate SIH may provide a protective mechanism during stress, prolonged or excessive hyperglycemia can exacerbate inflammation and oxidative stress, contributing to adverse outcomes in conditions such as acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and cerebrovascular diseases. The stress-hyperglycemia ratio (SHR), defined as the ratio of admission glucose to estimated mean glucose (derived from glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c]), has emerged as a valuable tool for quantifying stress hyperglycemia. Unlike absolute gluco
Allostatic Load and Its Impact on Health: A Systematic Review.
Guidi J, Lucente M, Sonino N, Fava GA · Psychotherapy and psychosomatics · 2021
Allostatic load refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events. It involves the interaction of different physiological systems at varying degrees of activity. When environmental challenges exceed the individual ability to cope, then allostatic overload ensues. Allostatic load is identified by the use of biomarkers and clinical criteria. To summarize the current knowledge on allostatic load and overload and its clinical implications based on a systematic review of the literature. PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to December 2019. A manual search of the literature was also performed, and reference lists of the retrieved articles were examined.We considered only studies in which allostatic load or overload were adequately described and assessed in either clinical or non-clinical adult populations. A total of 267 original investigations were included. They encompassed general population studies, as well as clinica
Safety and clinical effectiveness of Withania Somnifera (Linn.) Dunal root in human ailments.
Tandon N, Yadav SS · Journal of ethnopharmacology · 2020
Withania somnifera popularly known as Aswagandha or Indian Ginseng/Poison Gooseberry have thousands years of history of use in Indian traditional medicine. Besides, finding place root of the plant as Indian Ginseng, Ayurveda also uses root of this plant as general health tonic, adaptogenic, nootropic, immunomodulatory etc. With its widespread and growing use, it becomes prudent to scientifically evaluate and document both the efficacy and safety of this plant in humans. Aswagnadha root is rapidly gaining popularity abroad for use as medicine. Current article attempts to primarily review the human efficacy and safety of Aswagandha generated through clinical trials. A systematic search both for indexed and non-indexed literature was made for W. somnifera using various search engines and databases and the details of research articles pertaining to all clinical trials/human studies, animal studies addressing safety issues of CNS, CVS, general toxicity, mutagenicity, genotoxicity, reprodu
Recommendations from medical societies (NICE, AHA, ADA, ACG, Endocrine Society…).
García Pastor A, López-Cancio Martínez E, Rodríguez-Yáñez M, Alonso de Leciñana M, Amaro S, Arenillas JF · Neurologia · 2021
To update the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Neurology regarding lifestyle interventions for stroke prevention. We reviewed the most recent studies related to lifestyle and stroke risk, including randomised clinical trials, population studies, and meta-analyses. The risk of stroke associated with such lifestyle habits as smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, diet, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles was analysed, and the potential benefits for stroke prevention of modifying these habits were reviewed. We also reviewed stroke risk associated with exposure to air pollution. Based on the results obtained, we drafted recommendations addressing each of the lifestyle habits analysed. Lifestyle modification constitutes a cornerstone in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke. Abstinence or cessation of smoking, cessation of excessive alcohol consumption, avoidance of exposure to chronic stress, avoidance of overweight or obesity, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive
Beaufrère B, Bresson JL, Briend A, Ghisolfi J, Goulet O, Navarro J · Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie · 1999
Acute and chronic stress conditions affecting critically ill children are characterized by severe protein breakdown and growth failure. This paper describes the disorders of protein metabolism, and gives recommendations for protein and energy intakes during stress conditions in children.
Mental wellbeing: for over 16s
NICE
This NICE guideline covers promoting mental wellbeing for people aged 16 and over. It aims to help people maintain and improve their mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of mental health conditions.
Controlled human studies with random assignment.
McKinney E, Stewart J, Kewalramani R, Singh S · Trials · 2026
Chronic stress is detrimental to the maintenance of the main response system - the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of two plant-based adaptogens, a formula containing Rhodiola, holy basil and Schisandra chinensis (VL-G-A57) and a full-spectrum ashwagandha (VL-G-E12), on stress and related symptoms in individuals with high stress. The 60-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study included individuals aged between 18 to 65 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 18 to 29.9 kg/m2. One hundred eighty-six participants were randomized to one of the adaptogens, VL-G-A57 or VL-G-E12, or to placebo. The primary outcome was a reduction in stress levels. Secondary outcomes were changes in sleep quality, fatigue, restorative sleep, mental alertness, mood dysregulation, and anxiety. A priori power analysis determined the required sample size. Efficacy was assessed by comparing mean changes in
Epel ES, Don BP, Mayer SE, Blades R, Mason AE, Fromer E · Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine · 2025 · n=141
To cope with chronic stress, which can contribute to depression, humans often pursue arousal-reducing activities. Yet, hormetic stressors (intermittent, acute stressors) might also reduce chronic stress. We compared the effects of arousal-reducing and arousal-enhancing interventions on depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Female adults (N = 141; predominantly White, 63%, and Asian, 34%) reporting high perceived stress were randomized to 1 of 4 three-week stress resilience interventions in 2019-2020. Low arousal conditions included mindfulness meditation or slow breathing with warm showers (Control). Hormetic stress conditions included fast paced breathing with cold showers (the Wim Hof Method; WHM) or high-intensity interval training. We assessed depressive symptoms and perceived stress at baseline, postintervention, and 3 months later, and cortisol reactivity to a lab stressor. At postintervention, all 4 groups had decreases in depressive symptoms (15.93%
Vitamin C supplementation alleviates hypercortisolemia caused by chronic stress.
Beglaryan N, Hakobyan G, Nazaretyan E · Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress · 2024
The aim of this study was to determine whether ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation can lower plasma levels of Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) in patients diagnosed with functional hypercortisolemia due to unspecified chronic stress. Study includes data from 69 female with elevations in the cortisol and DHEA-S levels. Duration of follow-up was 2 months. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group I included patients 23 with elevated cortisol, Group II-patients 24 with elevated levels of both hormones, Group III- patients 22 with normal cortisol and increased DHEA-S. Each group was randomly divided into two subgroups. The first subgroup was prescribed 1000 mg daily oral dose of AA. The diet of the second subgroup were left unaltered. All patients have their hormones levels re-examined 2 months later. After 2 months of AA supplementation the mean levels of elevated plasma cortisol and DHEA-S decreased. In Group I the level of cortisol fell from 780&
Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional human studies.
Beyond Chronic Stress: Daily Stress Is Associated With Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Yunusova A, Levinthal DJ, Lam P, Brown KW, Branson Z, Wu S · Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association · 2026 · n=357
Stress is a central factor in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome, yet little is known about how stress and symptoms fluctuate together in daily life. This study characterized real-world associations between momentary stress and symptom severity in irritable bowel syndrome, including whether stress predicts later symptoms and vice versa. This was a prospective observational study conducted during the baseline phase of a randomized clinical trial among adults meeting Rome IV criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (N = 357). Participants completed self-report measures of chronic stress and irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity, followed by a 7-day ecological momentary assessment with 3 surveys per day assessing momentary stress and symptom severity. Individuals with higher average stress during the ecological momentary assessment week experienced greater irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity, and times of elevated stress relative to their usual level were linked to w
Algaidi SA · Brain research · 2025
Chronic stress profoundly affects the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region critical for executive functions and emotional regulation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on stress-induced PFC plasticity, encompassing structural, functional, and molecular changes. We examine how chronic stress leads to dendritic atrophy, spine loss, and alterations in neuronal connectivity within the PFC, particularly affecting the medial PFC. These structural changes are accompanied by disruptions in neurotransmitter systems, most notably glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling, and alterations in synaptic plasticity mechanisms. At the molecular level, we discuss the intricate interplay between stress hormones, neurotrophic factors, and epigenetic modifications that underlie these changes. The review highlights the significant behavioral and cognitive consequences of stress-induced PFC plasticity, including impairments in working memory, decision-making, and emotion
Stress-Induced Changes of the Skin: A Narrative Review.
Bobok N, Taskesen T · Cureus · 2025
Adaptation to physical and psychological stress is a fundamental biological process aimed at restoring homeostasis and maintaining health. While acute stress responses are developed for short-term survival, chronic stress has increasingly been recognized as an important trigger to a wide spectrum of systemic and dermatological disorders. Stress can exacerbate inflammatory and autoimmune dermatological conditions - such as acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. This narrative review highlights the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neurogenic inflammation, pigmentation disorders, and immune dysregulation of the skin as a result of the interaction between the nervous system and skin during stress. Particular attention was paid to the list of skin symptoms observed in participants exposed to prolonged stress. It also provides an overview of the limitations in modelling stress and skin interactions. By integrating molecular pathophysiology with clinical observation
Lab and in-vitro work explaining how something might work.
Tzouanas CN, Sherman MS, Shay JES, Rubin AJ, Mead BE, Dao TT · bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2023
Under chronic stress, cells must balance competing demands between cellular survival and tissue function. In metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly NAFLD/NASH), hepatocytes cooperate with structural and immune cells to perform crucial metabolic, synthetic, and detoxification functions despite nutrient imbalances. While prior work has emphasized stress-induced drivers of cell death, the dynamic adaptations of surviving cells and their functional repercussions remain unclear. Namely, we do not know which pathways and programs define cellular responses, what regulatory factors mediate (mal)adaptations, and how this aberrant activity connects to tissue-scale dysfunction and long-term disease outcomes. Here, by applying longitudinal single-cell multi -omics to a mouse model of chronic metabolic stress and extending to human cohorts, we show that stress drives survival-linked tradeoffs and metabolic rewiring, manifesting as shifts towards development-associ
Preclinical animal research — not a substitute for human evidence.
Kim H, Choi HS, Han K, Sim W, Suh HJ, Ahn Y · Journal of ethnopharmacology · 2025
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) root or whole-plant extracts are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other nervous system disturbances. We evaluated the neuroprotective and antidepressant effects of ashwagandha root extract (ARE) on corticosterone-exposed HT-22 cells and unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)-challenged mice. The neuroprotective properties of ARE containing withanolide A were assessed in HT-22 cells subjected to corticosterone-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, the effects of ARE on depression-like behavior, stress-related hormones, and inflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated in a mouse model of UCMS. In HT-22 cells, ARE (100 and 200 μg/mL) and its constituent, withanolide A (1.56 and 3.12 μg/mL), mitigated corticosterone-induced increases in MAO activity, ROS, and MDA levels. Treatment also reversed corticosterone-induced reductions in BDNF, TrkB, p-AKT, p-ERK, and p-CREB and normalized Nrf2 and Keap1 lev
Modulation by Withania somnifera of stress-induced anxiogenesis and airway inflammation in rats.
Rehman S, Naqvi M, Ali NH, Gulati K, Ray A · Journal of complementary & integrative medicine · 2024
Stress is an aversive stimulus which disrupts the biological milieu of the organism and a variety of emotional and environmental stressors are known to influence allergic and immunological disorders like bronchial asthma but the pharmacological basis of such interactions is not clearly defined. Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) is a potent anti-stress agent used widely in Indian traditional medicine and the present experimental study evaluated the effects of W. somnifera extract (WSE) on chronic stress-induced neurobehavioral and immunological responses in an experimental model of allergic asthma in rats. Wistar rats (200-250 g) were immunized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and exposed to restraint stress (RS) and WSE treatments for 15 days. Following this, anxiety behavior was assessed by the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and blood and BAL fluid samples were collected for measuring of inflammatory/immune markers by ELISA and biochemical assay. The data of the va
Public-health agencies: NCCIH, NIH, CDC, NHS.
WHO
The WHO provides fundamental information on stress, defining its impact on health and well-being. It highlights global perspectives on stress and its management.
Registered ongoing or completed trials (ClinicalTrials.gov).
n=70 · NCT06757231 · ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
This study aims to evaluate the effects of nurse counseling provided based on the Chronic Care Model on symptom status, stress, and quality of life in individuals diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
n=50 · NCT01127568 · UNKNOWN · UNKNOWN
Objective: To use propranolol to treat established chronic post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by reducing reconsolidation of the reactivated trauma memory. Hypothesis: A series of treatments with propranolol, in comparison to placebo, will produce a significant reduction in PTSD symptom severity in participants with chronic PTSD. Study Design: This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Methodology: Twenty-five participants per group with chronic PTSD will be recruited. On their first visit psychodiagnostic and psychometric evaluation will take place. In addition, script-preparation for the script-driven imagery procedure will occur. Following this, the participants will return each week for a period of 6 weeks to participate in the reactivation sessions with propranolol or placebo (participants assigned to the propranolol condition will receive propranolol throughout, and participants assigned to the placebo condition will receive placebo throughout). Two weeks later, the participants will return for a follow-up of the psychodiagnostic and psychometric evaluation, as well as psychophysiological assessment using script-driven imagery procedure. Data Analysis: A two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures will be performed on study completers. The Drug factor will have two levels: propranolol and placebo. The Time factor will have two levels: pre-treatment and post-treatment. We predict a significant Drug x Time interaction, more precisely a greater decrease in PTSD severity in the propranolol than in the placebo group. The psychophysiological data will be contrasted to a normative cutoff score for PTSD.
n=64 · NCT03247179 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED
This project is a preliminary randomized controlled trial testing the potential impact of the PTSD Coach mobile application at reducing posttraumatic stress and pain symptoms among acutely injured trauma patients. Immediately following the injury, patients will be randomly assigned to use the PTSD Coach app, or to the treatment as usual condition.
Curated cross-source summaries (TRIP Database and similar).
TRIP Database
TRIP Database is a clinical search engine designed to allow users to quickly and easily find high-quality research evidence to support their practice. Searching 'Chronic stress' yields a range of evidence from various sources.
Cochrane Library Search: Stress
Cochrane
The Cochrane Library provides high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making, including systematic reviews on interventions related to stress. A search for 'stress' can reveal relevant reviews and protocols.
Cochrane
Cochrane Library provides systematic reviews and meta-analyses of healthcare interventions, including those related to stress and its management. It synthesizes evidence to inform healthcare decisions.
Conventional care for chronic stress often involves psychotherapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), stress management techniques, and in some cases, medication to address associated symptoms like anxiety or depression. A healthcare provider can help determine the most appropriate course of action.
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This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health or treatment, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
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