In a groundbreaking study, researchers at McMaster University have uncovered a new connection between body fat (adipose tissue) and anxiety, shedding light on the complex relationship between metabolism and mental health. Published on April 15, 2025, in the prestigious journal Nature Metabolism, this research could pave the way for novel approaches to treating anxiety, particularly in the context of rising rates of both anxiety disorders and obesity.
The study’s findings are particularly timely, as anxiety disorders and obesity have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Gregory Steinberg, the senior author on the paper and a professor in McMaster’s Department of Medicine, highlighted the significance of these findings: “Our research underscores the intricate relationship between metabolism and mental health, and we hope it will lead to improved treatments for individuals suffering from anxiety.”
The researchers discovered that psychological stress, which activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, triggers a process called lipolysis in fat cells. Lipolysis is the breakdown of fats, which are then released into the bloodstream. This process, however, does not stop there. The fats released during lipolysis stimulate the immune cells in adipose tissue to produce a hormone called GDF15. GDF15 then travels to the brain, where it induces anxiety.
This mechanism was established through a series of experiments involving mice. The researchers used behavioral tests to assess anxiety-like behavior and conducted molecular analyses to identify the activated metabolic pathways. The results demonstrated a clear connection between metabolic changes in adipose tissue and the onset of anxiety, offering new insights into how metabolism influences mental health.
The findings open up promising new avenues for developing treatments for anxiety. Logan Townsend, the first author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at McMaster, emphasized the potential for targeting metabolic pathways in the treatment of anxiety disorders. “By understanding how stress-induced changes in fat cells can influence anxiety, we can explore innovative therapeutic strategies that target these metabolic processes,” he said.
One potential direction for future treatments involves blocking GDF15, a hormone that plays a crucial role in this process. Several companies are already developing GDF15 blockers for cancer treatments, and these therapies might also be effective in treating anxiety. Such treatments could offer a more targeted and potentially more effective approach to alleviating anxiety, especially for individuals whose anxiety is influenced by metabolic factors.
The study was a collaborative effort led by McMaster University, with significant contributions from Marc Jeschke of Hamilton Health Sciences and pediatric blood samples from a study conducted by Katherine Morrison, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster. The research was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Diabetes Canada.
This groundbreaking research offers exciting possibilities for developing new treatments for anxiety that target the underlying metabolic processes. By understanding the connection between stress, adipose tissue, and anxiety, researchers have opened up new avenues for addressing anxiety disorders in ways that were previously unexplored. With ongoing advancements in metabolic research, it may soon be possible to offer more effective and tailored therapies for individuals suffering from anxiety.
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