Definition
Cytokines are small signaling proteins secreted by immune and non-immune cells. They coordinate inflammation, healing, and communication between tissues — including the brain.
Why it matters
Cytokines are one of the main biochemical languages of the neuroimmune system. Understanding them clarifies fatigue, mood shifts during illness, and why chronic inflammation touches so many organ systems.
The Science
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) drive fever, sickness behavior, and central sensitization. Anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10) restrain the response. Their balance shapes acute recovery and chronic disease trajectories.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats cytokine signaling as one of the whispers between body and brain. It is neither hero nor villain — it is a language that becomes harmful only when it is prolonged or dysregulated.
Clinical Implications
Inflammatory biomarkers can inform care but rarely tell the whole story. Elevations point somewhere; interpretation requires context.
Practical Application
When you feel wiped out during illness, your cytokines are working. That fog is not laziness — it is a coordinated withdrawal so the body can repair.
References
- 1.Miller AH, Raison CL. The role of inflammation in depression: from evolutionary imperative to modern treatment target. Nat Rev Immunol. 2016;16(1):22–34.