Fight,Flight, Freeze + Cortisol

Question 1

Fight flight freeze response

Answer 1

Is initiated by the sympathetic NS and prepares the body to confront a stressful situation to optimize the chance of survival

Question 2

Cortisol

Answer 2

Cortisol is a steroid hormone released by the adrenal glands in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal. During the fight-flight-freeze response, cortisol helps to energise the body by increasing the release of glucose and a rise in blood sugar levels.

However. When stress is long-term and a high level of cortisol remains in the bloodstream, cortisol can suppress the immune system. As the body’s functioning at heightened levels; it depletes the body of the energy required to fight off bacteria, the body cannot maintain high levels of corrisol forever and eventually its stores will deplete.