iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll ThofthThse- This triggers the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine from
the adrenal medulla, signaling the adrenal cortex to produce corti-
sol and aldosterone. - Epinephrine constricts our blood vessels and increases blood pres-
sure to make sure our brain is receiving enough blood and oxygen
to deal with the “impending danger.” - Cortisol acts as an anti-inflammatory hormone, preventing damage
from the inflammation of other substances released during stress.
It has the important job of maintaining and preserving fuel to keep
us going in the case of a crisis that requires energy, which it does
by increasing levels of glucose through stimulating production of
new glucose from the liver and causing insulin resistance. Insulin
resistance helps us keep more glucose around and therefore keeps us
fueled up with energy. - The main task of aldosterone is to regulate how much fluid is stored
in our bodies. Fluid volume in turn also has an effect on blood pres-
sure. The more aldosterone we have, the more sodium and water we
retain, and thus aldosterone helps keep blood pressure up.
People may become dehydrated and start craving salty foods (hello, po-
tato chips). The level of potassium may actually become relatively higher,
causing an imbalance, thus foods containing high potassium may make
the person feel worse. Simply drinking more fluids results in further dilu-
tion of the sodium and exacerbates the dehydration.
Chronic stress leads to a reduction in DHEA and progesterone. These
hormones are often abnormally low in individuals suffering from auto-
immune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis,
CFS, and fibromyalgia.
Additionally, seasonal depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, hypothy-
roidism, asthma, and eczema have all been linked to HPA axis malfunction.
Low progesterone can lead to menstrual irregularities, infertility, uterine
fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, and a shift in immune function. Progesterone
regulates GABA, our “relaxation hormone,” and a deficiency in GABA
can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and rumination (excessive worrying about
the past).
DHEA has been touted as an anti-aging hormone and has been corre-
lated with reversing the classic stress-induced physiological response. To
make enough cortisol in stressful situations, ACTH drives elevated levels