According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can lower empathy, reduce trust, and trigger rigid thinking. People become less willing to adapt or admit fault. Our brains are wired for survival. Under threat—real or perceived—we defend ourselves. In the workplace, this means dodging blame or hoarding resources. At home, it leads to arguments and avoidance. When people focus on self-preservation, shared goals vanish. Progress stalls. Relationships weaken.

Over the past decade, youth and high school sports have changed. Sports, once focused on fun, teamwork, and skill-building, now often mirror the pressures of adult competition. Parents invest thousands in club teams, off-season training, and travel. Tryouts feel like high-stakes auditions, and kids as young as eight talk about scholarships and rankings.

Have you ever met a child who can recite the planets backward, solve math problems faster than a calculator, or remember small details everyone else forgets? At the same time, they may find it hard to sit still, struggle to pay attention, or feel overwhelmed by bright lights or loud noises. These are just some of the ways hypersensitivity disorders and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) show up together—and they’re more closely connected than you might think.

However, when these receptors remain chronically active, they can impact your brain's functioning. They continuously send signals to areas responsible for pleasure, learning, and craving, leading your brain to crave things that trigger these receptors, even if those things are harmful.

Every veteran knows the cost of service doesn’t end when the mission is over. PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, and addiction follow many home. While trauma and stress play major roles, overlooked factors—like the vitamin A in our food—may be quietly making things worse. It’s time to ask if synthetic vitamin A (SVA) in Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) and civilian foods is keeping troops on 'red alert'—and what we should do about it.

Studies show that synthetic forms of Vitamin A, such as retinol palmitate, can increase the sensitivity of these receptors. This heightened sensitivity can create a vicious cycle where the body remains in a state of stress and pain. When these receptors become overly active, they can amplify feelings of anxiety and create an alert state that keeps the amygdala engaged. This constant vigilance can lead to amygdala overgrowth—a critical precursor to neurological disorders.

Imagine your body as a bustling city. Every system plays a part: your organs are the power stations and sanitation workers, while your nerves are the alarm system keeping order. But what happens if the alarms are stuck on, the fuel tanks are empty, and the streets are full of trash? Chronic stress, modern toxins, and everyday foods can kick-start this cascade, leading to persistent fa-tigue, pain, brain fog, mood changes, and unpredictable sensitivity.

Our modern lifestyles tend to trigger our stress responses, keeping us in a state of defensiveness, reactivity, and superficial living, often without our awareness. To encourage positive progress and growth, we must become engaged, active listeners who are willing to look deeper than surface-level security. By doing this, we can forge a clear path forward to rebuild trusting relationships, create families, businesses, schools, and communities that are fulfilling and thrive f

The daily consumption of synthetic Vitamin A can continually activate our stress response, and the prolonged stress it induces can contribute to the enlargement of the amygdala in the brain. Research has proven that an enlarged amygdala can increase the likelihood of seizures, intensify the experience of pain disorders, and pave the way for emotional disturbances such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD.

Research suggests that excessive consumption of synthetic Vitamin A can stimulate sensory receptors TRPA1 and TRPV1, activating stress-related pathways in the brain. This consistent exposure, which may seem harmless, can place infants and toddlers in a state of chronic stress. Over time, this stress can lead to the enlargement of the amygdala and may increase the risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.

At the heart of Italy's digestive-friendly cuisine lies a deep reverence for tradition. Unlike many modern food industries driven by profit margins and shortcuts, Italian culinary traditions have stood the test of time, rooted in centuries-old practices that prioritize quality and authenticity. This commitment to heritage plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Italian dishes not only please the palate but also nurture the body.

Prolonged activation of the TRPV1 receptor can lead to a decrease in the receptor's ability to communicate with neurons effectively. It also increases the number of dopamine receptors in our brain and lowers dopamine levels causing our demand for dopamine to rise. This prompts individuals to seek out familiar habits if they are hypersensitive, or they may pursue stimulating activities, such as shiny new toys, if they are hyposensitive.

However, like a double-edged sword, chronic activation of TRPV1 and TRPA1 can tip the balance towards a cascade of detrimental effects. Prolonged stimulation of these receptors has been associated with the hyperactivation of microglia cells, the brain's resident immune cells. This overactive state of microglia unleashes a wave of neuroinflammation, leading to neuronal damage, impaired memory function, and the development of amyloid plaques commonly observed in neurodegenerati

One notable consequence of impaired TRPV1 and TRPA1 signaling is altered sensory perception. These receptors are integral in detecting environmental stimuli and regulating our responses to them. When their function is compromised by retinol overload, individuals may experience heightened sensitivity to certain stimuli or a dulled perception of others, leading to disturbances in sensory processing.

Research shows that chronic TRPV1 activation can worsen conditions such as anxiety disorders and chronic pain syndromes. Moreover, the continuous release of stress hormones like cortisol in response to persistent stimulation can disrupt the delicate balance of our endocrine system, leading to a range of health complications. These implications underline the importance of understanding stress modulation mechanisms in maintaining optimal health.

Lower Stress Levels to Enact Change & Growth To promote positive progress, growth, and inner joy, we must be engaged, active listeners who can delve deeper than surface-level security. Doing so, we can find a clear path forward to rebuild trusting relationships. Collaboratively working together, we can build families, businesses, schools, and communities that will be personally fulfilling and thrive for years to come.