Understanding the HPA axis and cortisol – stress

From the book – Chapter 7: Stress and the Body

The HPA axis and cortisol

For longer-lasting stress, the brain uses the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis:

Figure 7.2 The stress response from perception to body.

• Hypothalamus releases CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone).

• Pituitary gland releases ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).

• Adrenal glands release cortisol, the main stress hormone.

Normal role of cortisol mobilises energy (increases blood sugar); modulates immune function; helps maintain blood pressure; influences sleep-wake cycle and mood.

Acute (short-term) cortisol rise: helpful for coping with immediate challenges. Chronic (long-term) high cortisol: can damage physical and mental health.

Read the full chapter – Chapter 7: Stress and the Body

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Shloks

• Bhagavad Gita 2.14 – Contacts with the world give cold and heat, pleasure and pain. They come and go; they are not lasting. Endure them, O Bharata.

More on this topic: Stress – causes, symptoms and how to reduce stress at work and in exams

More questions

• Understanding effects of chronic stress
• Brain and mental health – effects of chronic stress
• Physical health – effects of chronic stress
• What are the types of stress?
• What are the signs of stress?
• Understanding stress and mental disorders
• Understanding healthy ways to manage stress
• Body-based – healthy ways to manage stress
• Mind-based – healthy ways to manage stress
• Social and lifestyle – healthy ways to manage stress
• How to reduce stress – healthy ways that work
• What is burnout and how do you recover?