One of the most pernicious dietary myths imposed by the nutrition and medical industries is that dietary sodium is literally death and needs to be restricted in order to achieve optimal health. The rationale is based on the claim that higher sodium intake increases blood pressure, despite the fact that multiple studies have shown sodium restriction to increase aldosterone, which reliably leads to hypertension and heart conditions. In corroboration, some of the oldest drugs for treating edema, hypertension and heart conditions are aldosterone antagonists. However, those drugs are not needed since simply increasing sodium intake lowers excessive aldosterone release. The study below now adds another possible issue stemming from sodium restriction. Namely, chronic anxiety. Chronic hyponatermia, which can reliably be induced in health people with dietary sodium restriction, led to the development of something psychiatrists call “generalized anxiety disorder” (GAD) in humans. Conversely, correcting the hyponatremia reversed the anxiety disorder.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12035-025-05024-y
Low Sodium Linked to Anxiety Through Brain Chemistry Disruption
“…Chronic hyponatremia—long viewed as symptomless—is now shown to disrupt brain chemistry and cause anxiety-like behaviors, according to a new study in mice. Researchers found that prolonged low sodium levels reduced serotonin and dopamine in the amygdala, a brain region vital for emotional regulation. These imbalances were linked to increased anxiety, which reversed once sodium levels were corrected. The findings suggest chronic sodium deficiency may have broader mental health implications, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly or chronically ill.”
