Archive · 1 Jan 2026
Insomnia and Anxiety Linked to Weaker Immune System
A new study found that young women who have trouble sleeping or feel anxious might have fewer special cells in their blood that help fight off germs and sick cells.
These cells are called natural killer cells.
The study looked at 60 young women and found that those who had trouble sleeping or felt anxious had fewer of these important cells.
This could mean that their bodies might not be as good at fighting off illnesses.
The researchers think this could help us understand why people with anxiety or insomnia might get sick more often.
They hope this information can help prevent diseases and cancers that are related to the immune system.
Insomnia and anxiety symptoms are linked to a lower number of natural killer cells in young women.
75% of participants experienced symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7).
Over 50% of participants reported insomnia symptoms.
Participants with moderate to severe anxiety had significantly lower percentages of natural killer cells.
Higher anxiety scores in participants with insomnia were associated with lower counts of total peripheral natural killer cells.
- Who
- Researchers from Taibah University in Saudi Arabia
- What
- A study linking insomnia and anxiety to a weaker immune system in young women
- When
- The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology
- Where
- The study was conducted with participants from an unspecified location
- Why
- To understand the physiological consequences of anxiety and insomnia on the immune system
- Study Participants
- 60 female students
- Key Finding
- Lower number of natural killer cells in participants with insomnia or anxiety
- Anxiety Prevalence
- 75% of participants experienced GAD-7 symptoms
- Insomnia Prevalence
- Over 50% of participants reported insomnia
- Journal
- Frontiers in Immunology
- Researchers
- Taibah University, Saudi Arabia