Is Inflammation Making You Feel Depressed?

Have you ever had the flu and just wanted to curl up and hide under the covers? That tired, achy, foggy feeling—that’s inflammation at work. Now imagine feeling like that all the time, even without a cold or infection. That’s what some researchers think might be happening in certain types of depression.

In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind how inflammation might affect your mood, why this happens, and what you can do about it. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, this could be a helpful piece of the puzzle.

What Is Inflammation, Anyway?

Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting itself. If you sprain your ankle or get a cut, inflammation kicks in to help you heal. You may notice redness, swelling, or pain. That’s a normal and healthy response.

But there’s another kind of inflammation called chronic low-level inflammation. This happens when your body stays slightly inflamed all the time—even when there’s no injury or infection. You might not see it or feel it like a swollen ankle, but it’s there, quietly causing trouble.

Depression and Inflammation: What’s the Connection?

Doctors and scientists used to think of depression mainly as a “chemical imbalance” in the brain. But new research shows it’s more complex than that. One of the newer ideas? Inflammation might play a major role in certain kinds of depression.

Studies have found that people with depression often have higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood. One easy way to measure this is with a simple blood test called C-reactive protein (CRP). High CRP levels can be a sign that the body is inflamed.

🧠 Expert Insight:
“Inflammation is not just a side effect of depression—it can be a driving force behind it,” says Dr. Charles Raison, a psychiatrist and researcher at the University of Wisconsin. “It changes brain function in ways that promote many of the symptoms we see in depression.” (Miller & Raison, 2016)

📊 One study found that people with higher CRP levels had more severe depression, were more likely to be hospitalized, and even had a higher risk of suicide (Batty et al., 2016).

Why Would Inflammation Affect Your Mood?

Here’s a simple way to think about it: Your brain and your immune system talk to each other.

If your body is inflamed for a long time, your brain can start to act like it’s sick too. This can lead to symptoms like:

• Feeling tired all the time
• Trouble focusing
• Low motivation
• Increased anxiety
• Feeling down or hopeless

Some researchers believe this response made sense in ancient times. If you were injured or sick, it was safer to rest, stay still, and keep away from danger. But today, many people are dealing with hidden inflammation caused by things like:

• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Chronic stress
• Obesity
• Poor sleep
• Long-term infections

💬 Expert Perspective:
“Inflammation may trigger an evolutionary shutdown mode that reduces energy use and social interaction,” explains Dr. Andrew Miller, a professor of psychiatry at Emory University. “But in today’s world, this response can backfire and lead to long-term emotional suffering.” (Miller & Raison, 2016)

Different Kinds of Depression

Not all depression is the same. Some people feel sad or numb, others feel anxious or restless. Scientists now believe that inflammatory depression might be a special subtype.

In this type, the brain becomes overly sensitive to signals from the immune system. This can create a “high alert” feeling—like something is wrong, even when it’s not. People may feel more anxious, agitated, or on edge. They may also have more physical symptoms, like aches and pains or sleep problems.

🧬 Expert View:
“This inflammatory profile often overlaps with metabolic issues like obesity, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol,” says Dr. Mona Jha, lead author of the CO-MED trial. “That’s why lifestyle factors are so important when treating these patients.” (Jha et al., 2017)

Can This Change the Way We Treat Depression?

Yes! That’s the exciting part.

Research shows that people with high inflammation levels may respond differently to certain antidepressants. For example, some medications might work better in people with low CRP, while others may help more when CRP is high.

Also, adding anti-inflammatory tools to treatment may boost results. These include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Probiotics
• Exercise
• Healthy diet
• Mind-body practices

🧘‍♂️ Expert Note:
“Non-drug therapies like physical activity, gut-friendly foods, and sleep hygiene are showing promising effects on reducing inflammatory depression,” says Dr. Kristina Suneson, lead author of a review on non-pharmacological interventions. “They can work alongside medications or on their own in milder cases.” (Suneson et al., 2021)

Should You Get Your Inflammation Checked?

If you’re dealing with depression, it might be helpful to ask your doctor about inflammation testing—especially if you’ve had:

• Long-term fatigue
• Chronic pain or illness
• Trouble finding a treatment that works

A simple blood test like CRP could give you and your care team more information to guide your treatment plan.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Depression is complex, and inflammation might be one missing piece of the puzzle. While it’s not the cause for everyone, research shows it can play a major role in how people feel and how they respond to treatment.

The good news? There are things you can do. A healthier lifestyle, combined with the right care, may help reduce inflammation and improve your mood.

🌟 Remember: Depression is not your fault. It’s a real medical condition, and there are many tools available to help you feel better.

Want to explore your mental health with support?

Our team at Mind Body Seven offers in-person and teletherapy options for adults and teens. Whether you’re just getting started or want a second opinion, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us here.

Other Sources

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3846682/
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/02/23/depression-brain-inflammation-treatment/
• Miller, A. H. (2025). Advancing an inflammatory subtype of major depression. The American Journal of Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20250289
• Krishnadas, R., & Cavanagh, J. (2012). Depression: An inflammatory illness? Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 83(5), 495–502. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2011-301779
• Yin, Y., Ju, T., Zeng, D., et al. (2024). “Inflamed” depression: A review of the interactions between depression and inflammation and current anti-inflammatory strategies for depression. Pharmacological Research, 207, 107322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107322

References

1. Howard, D. M., Adams, M. J., Clarke, T.-K., et al. (2019). Genome-wide meta-analysis of depression identifies 102 independent variants and highlights the importance of the prefrontal brain regions. Nature Neuroscience, 22, 343–352.
2. Batty, G. D., Bell, S., Stamatakis, E., & Kivimäki, M. (2016). Association of systemic inflammation with risk of completed suicide in the general population. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(9), 993–995. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1805
3. Miller, A. H., & Raison, C. L. (2016). The role of inflammation in depression: from evolutionary imperative to modern treatment target. Nature Reviews Immunology, 16, 22–34. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri.2015.5
4. Jha, M. K., Minhajuddin, A., Gadad, B. S., et al. (2017). Can C-reactive protein inform antidepressant medication selection in depressed outpatients? Findings from the CO-MED trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 78, 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.01.023
5. Suneson, K., Lindahl, J., Chamli Hårsmar, S., Söderberg, G., & Lindqvist, D. (2021). Inflammatory depression—mechanisms and non-pharmacological interventions. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(4), 1640. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041640