Research in rats strongly suggests that spike protein leftover in brain tissue lowers its cortisol and raises its inflammation. While little surprises us anymore about the far-reaching effects of COVID proteins, I do appreciate when research confirms what I have been saying for a while- despite the mainstream narrative that COVID is completely gone in 2 weeks. Other research had shown that COVID proteins could be found in patients’ blood a year or more after the acute infection. In postmortem studies, these proteins have been found in brain tissue after death. These lingering effects on cortisol could then allow otherwise minor stimuli to trigger uncontrolled inflammation in the brains and thus various long COVID symptoms.
Why is cortisol so important in this study? This hormone produced by our adrenal glands serves as a brake on inflammation throughout our bodies. Having some inflammation to fight infections or heal wounds is one thing. Having too much inflammation that sticks around too long can cause a lot of problems over time. If spike proteins are lingering and lowering cortisol, they may set people up for uncontrolled inflammation from other triggers.
In the first stage of this rat study, they infected these same COVID proteins into the cerebrospinal fluid. This exposure lowered cortisol in parts of the brain associated with memory for 7 to 9 days. In another experiment, the researchers exposed different groups of rats to a weakened bacteria. They then measured the rats’ vital signs and monitored changes in brain cells associated with inflammation called glial cells. For the rats who had a COVID spike protein injected into their brains, they found that their behavioral and vital sign responses to the immune trigger far exceeded those of non-exposed rats.
So, while we wait for more studies to confirm this rat study, we in functional medicine will continue to support cortisol function after appropriate testing (by saliva) in our post COVID patients, while working to lower inflammation and remove spike protein. So far, patients are returning to healthier, more abundant lives with this approach.
Original Article:
Matthew G. Frank, Jayson B. Ball, Shelby Hopkins, Tel Kelley, Angelina J. Kuzma, Robert S. Thompson, Monika Fleshner, Steven F. Maier. SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit produces a protracted priming of the neuroinflammatory, physiological, and behavioral responses to a remote immune challenge: A role for corticosteroids. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2024; 121: 87 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.034
Thanks to Science Daily:
University of Colorado at Boulder. “Low cortisol, hair-trigger stress response in the brain may underlie Long COVID.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 August 2024. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240819130640.htm>.
Medical Disclaimer:
This article is intended for educational purposes only. I have attempted to confirm the accuracy of these statements but with time, some currently true statements may be proven incorrect. Before making any medical decisions, you should consult your medical provider. I am not a lawyer nor am I a remediator and cannot provide definitive answers in either category. Discuss legal and remediation decisions with appropriate professionals. Sanctuary is not responsible for decisions you make based on this short video.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.