Stress & Anxiety: Understanding The Nervous System and Psychedelics

Stress and anxiety are common experiences in modern life. Ongoing pressure, uncertainty, and constant stimulation can leave many people feeling tense, overwhelmed, or unable to fully relax, even when there is no immediate threat.

At the core of this experience is the nervous system. When the brain perceives danger or stress, it activates the fight-or-flight response, a biological survival mechanism designed to protect us in short bursts. Heart rate increases, muscles tense, attention narrows, and the body prepares for action.

For many people today, this response does not switch off easily. Instead of returning to a state of balance, the nervous system can remain in a state of heightened alert. Over time, this can show up as chronic stress, persistent anxiety, difficulty resting, irritability, or a feeling of being constantly “on edge.”

In recent years, psychedelics have entered a broader scientific and cultural conversation about stress, anxiety, and nervous system regulation. 

Current literature shows that psychedelics could be considered for treating clinician-diagnosed anxiety disorders, and may provide an alternative therapeutic options for patients resistant to standard treatments [1].

What We’ll Explore

• How stress and anxiety are linked to the nervous system and the fight-or-flight response
• Why the nervous system can stay activated long after a perceived threat has passed
• How chronic stress shapes attention, emotion, and behavior over time
• What current research suggests about psychedelics and nervous system flexibility

[1] Feulner L, Sermchaiwong T, Rodland N, Galarneau D. Efficacy and Safety of Psychedelics in Treating Anxiety Disorders. Ochsner J. 2023 Winter;23(4):315-328. doi: 10.31486/toj.23.0076. PMID: 38143548; PMCID: PMC10741816.