Psychobiology of stress UNFINISHED Flashcards
Stress mechanisms
Hypothalamus stimulated
Pathway 1 - sympathetic adrenal medullary axis
Pathway 2- hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis
stimulated at same time in hypothalamus
output is both adrenal gland that releases cortisol and adrenaline
Sympathetic Adrenal Medullary Axis
SAM Axis
hypothalamus stimulated
travels through sympathetic nervous system
triggers the adrenal medulla to release adrenaline
Adrenaline
Increases heart rate
increase blood pressure
Redirects blood to muscle/organs
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis
HPA Axis
Hypothalamus stimulated
releases corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)
CRH stimulates Pituitary gland to release ACTH
ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol
Cortisol
Maintains fight/flight response
Increase sensitivity of cells to adrenaline & noradrenaline
increase blood sugar
increase mental alertness
Also switches off long term processes like immune system, growth & repair, digestion, reproduction, sleep regulation