Fuel Up, To Chill Out

Your brain is wired for survival. When it senses stress—whether it’s a looming deadline or a never-ending to-do list—it reacts as if you’re facing a real physical threat. The result? A surge in cortisol, your primary stress hormone.

Cortisol raises blood sugar, breaks down muscle for quick energy, and stores fat—especially around the belly.

This is your body’s ancient survival response: it’s trying to keep you alive in what it thinks is a life-or-death situation.

The nervous system—especially the autonomic branch—is constantly scanning for signs of safety or danger (a process known as neuroception). If your body lacks key cellular resources like glucose, electrolytes, amino acids, or mitochondrial energy, the system can interpret that internal state as a threat, even without any real external danger. 

Even small stressors can trigger a stress response when the nervous system senses that your cells don’t have the resources to handle them. It stays on high alert, reacting more intensely and more often than necessary. Over time, this can lead to dysregulation— where the system struggles to shut off, even after the stressor is gone.

You feel anxious, wired, and exhausted all at once.

On the other hand, when your body has enough energy and essential nutrients, it can produce more ATP—the fundamental energy currency of your cells. Higher ATP levels support optimal brain function, allowing the nervous system to regulate stress responses more effectively. With abundant ATP, neurons communicate more efficiently, supporting mental clarity, emotional balance, and cognitive functions like focus and decision-making. As a result, you're better equipped to stay calm and in control, even under pressure.

You can probably see how low brain energy, ATP, over time can spiral into depression or burnout, right?

Read more about chronic stress next.