Hormones' Warning: May Contain Happiness. (May Contain Stress.)
Biological messaging happens via the electrical system and neurons and through the chemical transmission system of hormones. Let's learn more about stress hormones!
August 20, 2023 Written by Dr Rudy Wietfeldt 0 Comments
When we think of package shipping there are two giants that come to mind. Imagine if Fed Ex and UPS merged. Would the new transport company be called Fed UP?
In our bodies, we have two giant transport systems as well. One is the neuronal system and the other is the hormonal system. Today let's dive deeper into hormones and, more specifically, the so-called "stress" hormones.
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by various glands in the endocrine system. Consider the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands, for instance. These messengers are released into the bloodstream and travel through the body to affect a particular function on target cells or organs. Hormones play a crucial role in regulating a wide range of physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, mood, and stress responses.
Stress hormones are a subset of hormones that are particularly important in the body's response to stressors -- and these can be physical, emotional, or psychological challenges or perceived threats.
The primary stress hormones are:
1. Cortisol. Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol is often referred to as "the" stress hormone. Cortisol helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure, blood sugar, and the immune response. When we experience some type of stress, cortisol levels increase, and the presence of cortisol has both short- and long-term effects on the body. More on the concerning aspects of the negative long-term effects later.
2. Adrenaline (Epinephrine). Also produced by the adrenal glands, epinephrine is key to the "fight, flight or freeze" response in stressful situations. Adrenaline prepares the body for immediate action in response to a perceived threat. Adrenaline causes increased heart rate, dilated airways to allow increased breathing rates, enhanced alertness, dilated pupils, as well as sweaty palms and dry mouth as blood flow is redirected and prioritized to muscles.
3. Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine). Similar to adrenaline, and also produced by the adrenal glands, noradrenaline plays a substantial role in the stress response.
The stress response is a natural and adaptive series of reactions that help the body deal with environmental challenges or threats. How does it work? When some type of stressor is perceived, the hypothalamus in the brain sends signals to the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones prepare the body and mind to be in the best physiological state possible to confront the stressor or flee from it, either way ultimately working to ensure survival.
Like everything in human physiology, there are limits that need to be taken into account. The perception of chronic, ongoing stress is harmful. How? Prolonged elevation of stress hormones has negative effects on various organs in the body. Ongoing high levels of cortisol, for instance, leads to:
- Decreased immune function. Prolonged stress weakens the immune system and makes the body more susceptible to infections and serious illnesses, even cancers. When I worked at the UCSD Moore's Cancer Center in La Jolla, I saw many patients and families who were able to point back to specific stressors leading to the onset of their cancers.
- Cardiovascular problems. Elevated stress hormones can increase blood pressure and heart rate, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.
- Metabolic problems. Chronic stress can lead to weight gain, particularly in the abdomen, and contributes to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- Mood disorders. Imbalances in stress hormones are often associated with anxiety, major depression, and other mood problems and disorders.
Many future blogs and videos will address various techniques aimed at reducing chronic stress. Recall from a recent blog on the Psychology of the Blue Zones that good stress management was critical in living a long and healthy life.
Exercise is incredibly helpful in so many ways in staying as healthy as possible. If you have not been able to exercise for whatever reason, start today with a simple commitment to walking (or taking a stroll) a minimum of 15 minutes each day, rain or shine. Just make this one change! Do it today and every single day. Over time, as you're ready, you'll be able to increase the time and speed.
Other things to consider briefly: Improving your sleep, developing mindfulness, exploring and deepening your spirituality, and improving social connections with family and friends. More on these and other tools as we move forward together.
Walk on and reduce your chronic stress hormones!
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