08/31/2025
You might not feel stressedā¦ but your cells might be.
This is something we see with what's called the Cell Danger Response (CDR), a term coined by Dr. Robert Naviaux, MD, PhD.
Itās the bodyās ancient and intelligent survival mechanism, where cells respond to threats by shifting their function to defense mode instead of growth and repair.
Hereās the kicker:
Once triggered by things like infection, trauma, mold, toxins, emotional stress, or even childhood adversityā¦
The body can stay stuck in that state, long after the actual danger has passed.
When this happens, it disrupts nearly every system in the body.
Common signs of a stuck Cell Danger Response include:
š Chronic fatigue
š§ Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
š„ Heightened sensitivity to foods, sounds, light, or smells
š£ Anxiety or panic without an obvious trigger
š© GI issues like bloating, constipation, or food intolerances
š¤ Poor sleep, even when you're tired
š Feeling emotionally flat or "disconnected"
š Plateaus in healing despite doing āall the right thingsā
Why? Because healing is a cellular function and cells donāt heal when theyāre in defense mode. They need to feel safe.
And this is where the nervous system comes in.
The CDR is tightly regulated by your autonomic nervous system, especially the balance between sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity.
To create a healing environment at the cellular level, we must activate the parasympathetic system.
Thatās why practices like meditation are so powerful.
š§āāļø Meditation increases vagal tone
š Lowers cortisol and inflammation
š§ Enhances brain wave patterns linked to calm and clarity
š Signals safety to the body so the Cell Danger Response can resolve
If youāve felt stuck, frustrated, or like your body just wonāt cooperate....
Join me for a Tuesday meditation. You might be surprised what softening your nervous system can shift.
š Noon EST on Zoom for FREE
š 7PM EST in person (with tea + community)
š https://bridgeforwellness.com/events
