Stress Hub

Anxiety disorders affect around 30% of individuals at some point in their lives globally, making them the most common mental health disorders.¹ Stress-related disorders are on the rise, especially post-pandemic, with mental ill health and work-related stress now costing the UK economy £28 billion annually.²

Chronic stress contributes to cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and metabolic conditions such as diabetes. Anxiety disorders are associated with increased levels of inflammation, which may worsen conditions like IBS, autoimmune diseases, and chronic pain. Elevated stress hormones (e.g. cortisol) can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.

Stress response

Biological mechanisms

HPA axis dysregulation

Prolonged stress leads to overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in chronic cortisol elevation or burnout with insufficient cortisol levels.

Neurotransmitter imbalance

Reduced levels of GABA, serotonin, and dopamine contribute to heightened anxiety and stress responses.

Gut-brain axis

Dysbiosis is linked to heightened anxiety due to altered vagus nerve signalling, inflammation, and serotonin dysregulation.

Genetic polymorphisms

Genetic polymorphisms on the following genes may change the response to stress and anxiety.

Serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4)

These genes are responsible for serotonin reuptake, and a polymorphism on this gene may lead to an increased sensitivity to stress.

Dopamine receptor genes (DRD2, DRD4

These genes are responsible for dopamine signalling, and any polymorphisms may lead to the dysregulation of emotions and motivation, increasing the risk of anxiety.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) genes (GABRA2, GABRB3)

These genes are responsible for normal GABA processes, and any polymorphisms may lead to the overactivity of the brain, worsening stress.

Stress can cause

Persistent stress overactivates the ‘fight-or-flight’ response, leading to elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and energy mobilisation.

Stress can shrink the hippocampus (memory and learning centre) and over-activate the amygdala (fear and emotion centre), leading to heightened anxiety and poor cognitive function.

Chronic stress leads to prolonged cortisol elevation, which contributes to insulin resistance, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, fat deposition, metabolic syndrome, and disrupted thyroid function.

Prolonged stress can lead to adrenal fatigue or burnout, with symptoms such as chronic fatigue, depression, and immune suppression.

Stress-induced catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) cause vasoconstriction, increasing blood pressure.

Chronic stress promotes inflammation and lipid dysregulation, accelerating plaque formation in arteries.

Stress doubles the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke due to increased clotting factors and inflammatory markers.

Higher cortisol levels disrupt the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which increases the risk of autoimmune conditions.

Stress weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to recurrent infections and can slow down wound healing.

Stress alters gut motility and permeability, contributing to symptoms of IBS and leaky gut syndrome.

Chronic stress reduces gut microbial diversity, exacerbating inflammation and anxiety.

Stress-induced muscle tightness can cause chronic pain conditions such as tension headaches, TMJ dysfunction and back pain.

Cortisol increases the activity of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), specifically MMP-1 and MMP-13, which degrade collagen in the extracellular matrix. These enzymes target the collagen fibres in connective tissue, skin, tendons, and bones, breaking them into smaller fragments.

Cholesterol is converted into pregnenolone in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes. Under normal circumstances, pregnenolone is metabolised into sex hormones like progesterone, oestrogen, and testosterone. During stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis prioritises cortisol production for survival, diverting pregnenolone toward the production of glucocorticoids (cortisol). This reduces the availability of precursors for reproductive hormones. Lower levels of progesterone, oestrogen, and testosterone disrupt the hormonal balance necessary for optimal fertility.

The evidence behind DRV+

Stress & Anxiety

The everyday weight of stress and anxiety

Our survey of 545 adults shows how common, frequent and far-reaching stress and anxiety have become.

545 respondents

2024–2025

Cross-sectional customer survey

56% report high/overwhelming stress

52% feel it every day

72% feel unsupported at work

Study Findings

We surveyed 545 adults on stress prevalence and frequency, symptoms, functional impact, and coping strategies.

What we found:

55.8% described their stress as high or overwhelming and 51.9% felt anxious or stressed daily. Poor sleep was the leading symptom (69.2%). Stress reached behaviour and work - 67% ate less healthily and 54% avoided social situations - yet 71.9% felt employers don't do enough. Lifestyle strategies such as walking and exercise were both most used and most effective.

What This Means

Frequent, not occasional

52% feel anxious or stressed every day.

Including 15% for most of the day, every day.

It changes behaviour

67% eat less healthily; 54% avoid social situations.

A self-reinforcing functional burden.

Lifestyle leads on what works

Exercise (97%) and walking outdoors (96%) rated most effective.

Outperforming alcohol and used more than medication.

Read the abstract

How diet impacts stress

Foods to reach for

Foods to avoid

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Discover the link between ashwagandha and thyroid health

Many research papers have cited the benefits of Ashwagandha for modulating thyroid function in those with subclinical hypothyroidism, making it a subject of interest for endocrinologists and integrative medicine practitioners.

The thyroid gland, through the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), regulates metabolism, energy production, and overall hormonal balance. Dysregulation can lead to hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. Ashwagandha works through a few mechanisms that benefit the thyroid.

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