Science Behind Stress
The national institute of mental health defines stress as “the brain's response to any demand”. The two main types are acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is the most common form of stress and comes from demands and pressures of recent and anticipated demands and pressures. Too much acute can be exhausting however as it tends to be short term acute stress doesn’t have enough time to do extensive damage. Chronic stress is the response to emotional pressure suffered for a prolonged period of time in which an individual perceives they have little or no control over their situation. Chronic stress can form from traumatic, early childhood experiences that become internalised and remain present. It isn’t specifically the stress that is the problem but the build up of cortisol in the brain which can lead to health problems.
Our body’s response to stress begins with the amygdala (cluster of cell nuclei inside the temporal lobe that processes emotional data) sends a message to the hypothalamus which signals the adrenal medulla to secrete adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Blood is then pumped to extremities and muscles which gastrointestinal activity is reduced. Chronic stress overuses the adrenal glands store of adrenaline which wears the adrenal glands out.
The autonomic nervous system divides the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is directly involved in the physical response to stress using our fight or flight response. This results in the nervous system increasing the heart rate, constricting blood vessels whilst dilating others, slows down the intestines and inhibits digestive secretions and prompts glands to flood the system with cortisol. The pituitary gland produces adrenocorticotropic hormone prompting the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Cortisol then increases arterial blood pressure, pulling glucose and fat from body tissues into the bloodstream for energy which is why appetite dismisses during acute stress. Thyroid stimulating hormone is also released stimulating the thyroid glands to produce thyroxine. Thyroxine increase blood sugar levels, respiration heart rests and blood pressure which are essential for quick bursts of activity however this uses up nutrients too quickly meaning the body overuses B vitamins and excretes coming magnesium.
When the stress response occurs too often this can potentially cause serious damage. While stress itself isn’t problematic the build up of cortisol can have damaging effects. Cortisols functions are part of the body’s natural process. It restores balance after a stressful event, helps regulate blood sugar in cells and a utilitarian value in the hippocampus. However, with chronic stress the body ma,Es more cortisol than can be released. This may start to create hippocampus brain damage resulting in disturbed circadian rhythms meaning your sleep-wake cycle becomes disturbed, get memory loss and causes moodiness. Chronic stress has a shrinking effect on the prefrontal cortex and increase the size of the amygdala meaning the brain is more receptive to stress. Chronic stress doesn’t just cause impaired cognitive function but also creates an increased risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
Amanda Kadye
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