Put down the cookies

 

If you're feeling angst, or anxiety, or nervousness, or concerns, or slightly scared about the oncoming world catastrophe of climate change, I have news for you.

Your body fat is making you feel that way.

So, if you want to munch on something other than popcorn (and with less butter) that has lots of calories, I would counsel taking small bites.

Molecular Connection Found Between Body Fat and Anxiety
New research has uncovered a link between adipose tissue, a hormone called GDF15, and anxiety.

"The research team discovered that psychological stress, which triggers the fight or flight response, initiates a process called lipolysis in fat cells. This process leads to the release of fats, which in turn stimulate the release of a hormone called GDF15 from immune cells found in the fat tissue. GDF15 then communicates with the brain, resulting in anxiety. Researchers came to their conclusion through a series of meticulously designed experiments involving mice. Behavioral tests assessed anxiety-like behavior, and molecular analyses identified the activated pathways. A clear connection between metabolic changes in adipose tissue and anxiety was established, offering new insights into the interplay between metabolism and mental health."

So --  you get stressed, your body's metabolic demands go up, and the body release fat to burn to help with those demands. But that also releases a hormone that goes to the brain and makes it anxious. Which would make you stressed, and that means elevated metabolic demands, and at some point you need cookies.

So you have more fat to release when you get stressed.  It all makes sense, right?

Enjoy.