JULY 7, 2026 15:44
The viral trend that encourages women to “be a b**** or else you will develop an autoimmune disease” may have scientific backing, as studies have shown a link between suppressing emotions and the breakdown of the immune system
“There is no question that prolonged stress, emotional suppression, and an inability to set boundaries can contribute to immune dysregulation,” Dr. Vishakha Shivdasani, a Mumbai-based longevity and disease reversal practitioner, told The Nod Magazine, noting that that didnt exactly mean being a ‘b****’ could outright prevent autoimmune diseases
“The goal isn’t really to become a b****. It’s to develop healthy boundaries, reduce chronic stress, and learn to stand up for yourself,” she said
Additionally, Dr. Gabor Mate of the Pasadena Civic Center explained in a lecture in April that the rate of autoimmune diseases in women is disproportionately high due to cultural conditioning, stress, and yes, putting others’ needs before their own
According to a Stanford study conducted in 2024, four out of every five Americans diagnosed with an autoimmune disease are women
While yes, there is a correlation between suppressing emotions and developing illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis, the medical solution isn’t necessarily ‘being a b****.’
According to Mate, people pleasers’ tendency to develop autoimmune diseases doesn’t stem from weakness, but from the lifelong psychological stress causing strain on the immune system over time
It makes sense that women, who are conditioned in most cultures to prioritize others’ needs over their own from a young age, would be more susceptible
This doesn’t mean that it’s the women’s fault for developing an illness, but it means medication alone isn’t enough to treat the problem; rather, the patient must work to develop their autonomy and set boundaries
This is where the ‘be a b****’ trend stems from
However, despite doctors affirming that suddenly being mean definitely can’t heal illness, the women of the internet have taken the meme and run with it
“Started being a b**** and my eczema was GONE,” one person wrote on X/Twitter
“Started being a b**** openly and my hair got healthier,” another stated
