Stress hormone

Stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine are released by the body in situations that are interpreted as being potentially dangerous. The hormone regulating system is known as the endocrine system. Cortisol is believed to affect the metabolic system and epinephrine is believed to play a role in ADHD as well as depression and hypertension. Stress hormones act by mobilizing energy from storage to muscles, increasing heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate and shutting down metabolic processes such as digestion, reproduction, growth and immunity.

Causes

Constant stress causes continual release of various stress hormones which can cause:

• A depletion of energy storage
• Stress-induced hypertension
• Effects on metabolic processes
• Ulcers (digestion)
• Hampered growth
• Decrease in testosterone levels in males and irregular menstrual cycles in females.
• Increased likelihood of infectious diseases
• Depression
• Ghost symptoms of other health conditions (acute in nature)
• Neurological disorders
• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Sleep deprivation
• Addictions
• Mental conditions such as compulsive disorders

Reduce

Techniques that may help reduce stress are: Massage Therapy, scheduling time off, meditation, deep breathing, music, physical activities other than the stress inducing routine activities, relaxing shower/bath/or hot tub, laughing (comedy), traveling, sleep, etc.

Further reading

• Prenatal Programming of Human Neurological Function, International Journal of Peptides (courtesy of NIH, Curt A. Sandman, Elysia P. Davis, Claudia Buss and Laura M. Glynn, 2011