HOMEOPATHIC MODULATION OF STRESS-INDUCED ANXIETY AND ITS EFFECTS ON KIDNEY BIOMARKERS: AN INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE APPROACH

Abstract

Stress-induced anxiety is increasingly recognised as a contributor to kidney dysfunction. Chronic stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, elevating cortisol levels and inducing vascular changes, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which impair kidney function. Homeopathy is a complementary medicine method, which has been promising in the regulation of stress and its physiological consequences but there is limited research on its effect on kidney biomarkers in stress-induced renal dysfunction. The research aimed to assess the influence of homeopathic therapy on kidney biomarkers in people with anxiety caused by stress and examine the possible nephroprotective effect of homeopathy as an adjunctive treatment of kidney dysfunction caused by stress. A placebo-controlled, randomised and double-blind trial was carried out among 100 participants (50 treatment and 50 placebo). Participants were assigned 8 weeks of homeopathic remedies or a placebo on an individual basis. Primary outcome variables were alterations in kidney biomarkers (serum creatinine, BUN, eGFR), whereas anxiety and stress levels, measured with the help of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used as secondary outcomes. The treatment group demonstrated a substantial change in kidney biomarkers (lower serum creatinine and higher eGFR) and a decrease in stress and anxiety. The studies compared with the placebo group showed that the difference in kidney functioning and psychological results was statistically significant. A promising complementary way of managing stress-induced kidney dysfunction is homeopathy which can help in enhancing kidney function as well as alleviating anxiety.