Let's Talk About The Immune System

The immune system is the body's self-defense mechanism that powers into action when under attack from pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. A simple injury—like a bang to the head or a small cut—can trigger a cascade of immune responses designed to fight, protect, and repair.

The immune system has two main parts: innate immunity, which acts fast using barriers (like skin) and white blood cells to fight invaders, and adaptive immunity, which takes longer but creates memory cells to recognize and fight specific germs in the future.

The immune system is designed to respond to trauma, and this very process has led to fascinating discoveries on how to stimulate it to treat chronic disease (more on that later). With the pandemic still fresh in our minds, immunity has never been more important.

So, how can we strengthen our immune system? In an ideal world, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep would be enough to keep it functioning optimally. However, the demands of modern life mean many people struggle to properly care for themselves and support their immune health. In fact, for most, the nervous system remains in a constant state of fight-or-flight. While short bursts of stress can enhance immunity, prolonged chronic stress has the opposite effect, weakening the body's defenses.

On top of this, our immune system faces additional strain from daily exposure to toxins—whether from air pollution, processed foods, cosmetics, or even our water supply.

Interesting Observations

Several of my friends work as school teachers, and their schedules are relentless. A school term typically lasts around three months, during which teachers endure long, frantic days. Yet, the moment the holidays begin, many suddenly come down with a cold or virus.

With thousands of children coughing, sneezing, and unintentionally spreading infections, schools become breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Interestingly, it seems that low-level stress keeps the immune system on high alert, helping to fend off illness. However, once the teacher finally takes a break, the immune response relaxes, leaving the body more susceptible to any lingering viruses it had been fighting.

In contrast, a brief period of stress can give the immune system a boost, helping it swiftly fight off a virus. I’ve experienced this firsthand while working as a musician. Several days before a corporate event, I began feeling cold and flu symptoms. It was an important gig—one that couldn’t be rescheduled, cancelled, or covered by someone else. In the days leading up to it, I rested and used every immune-boosting trick I knew, but by the day of the event, I was still feeling quite unwell.

I had no choice but to push through. Armed with herbs, vitamins, and cold remedies, I headed to the venue. As soon as I started performing, I began to sweat, feeling my temperature rise. The combination of adrenaline and a shot of brandy helped me power through the evening. By the next morning, my cold had completely cleared. The fight-or-flight response had kicked my immune system into action, allowing me to overcome the infection.

As fascinating as this mechanism is, it’s not something that can be relied upon. While stress helped me recover on this occasion, there have been other times when performing while sick has only made the illness worse.

Unusual Ways to Boost Immunity

Knowing an immune response can be triggered, how do we put this into action? There are various weird and wonderful ways—one of which is apitherapy, or in layman's terms, bee sting therapy. This bizarre treatment involves introducing bee venom into the body via stings. Once the venom enters the body, compounds in it reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting certain enzymes and cytokines. Although controversial, apitherapy continues to be used to treat conditions such as arthritis and autoimmune diseases.

This treatment first appeared on my radar while researching Lyme disease. I stumbled across an article about Cindy Kennedy, a woman who had been seriously ill with chronic Lyme. She had tried various treatments with little success—until one day, while in her garden, she was accidentally stung by multiple bees. To her surprise, she noticed a significant improvement in her Lyme symptoms. Following this, she incorporated apitherapy into her treatment plan.

This brings me to my own healing experience—not with bees, but with pain. For months, I had been suffering from joint pain in my fingers due to Lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis (both now resolved). At the time, I didn’t know the cause and opted for steroid injections in my fingers. The procedure was excruciating, with pain lingering for a week afterward. However, a few weeks later, I noticed a drastic improvement in my Lyme symptoms. Had the intense pain triggered such a strong immune response that it helped tackle stubborn aspects of the disease?

More recently, my experience with Long Covid showed me that overstimulating the immune system can sometimes backfire. Initially, I managed to treat a seasonal cold quickly with vitamins and herbs. But two weeks later, it returned—this time taking longer to clear. Every time I exerted myself, it felt like I was getting sick again. Determined to fight it off, I intensified my regimen: stronger immune-stimulating herbs, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and ozone treatments. Instead of improving, I only got sicker, eventually needing bed rest.

I realized my increased food allergies, anxiety, and shakiness were signs of an overactive immune system.

Counterintuitively, an overactive immune system doesn’t always eliminate pathogens efficiently—sometimes, it malfunctions. Had I listened to my body, rested properly, and supported myself with gentle nutrition rather than aggressive interventions, I might have recovered faster.

This helped me realize that sometimes a seasonal cold is the body's way of forcing us to slow down. Ignoring this and trying to suppress symptoms instead of allowing rest can often make things worse.

So, How Does Relaxation Help the Immune System?

Relaxation supports the immune system by:

• Reducing stress hormones like cortisol, which suppress immune function.

• Lowering inflammation and improving gut health.

• Enhancing sleep quality, a key factor in immune regulation.

• Activating the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body conserve energy for healing.

  
  

Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and gentle movement can boost immune cell activity and promote overall well-being.

Keeping the immune system healthy isn’t difficult for the average person. If you use your body as nature intended—eating nutrient-rich foods, staying active, getting enough rest, and maintaining happiness—it will take care of itself.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen. The website owners and contributors are not responsible for any consequences resulting from the use of the information provided.