Responses to Chronic (Ongoing) Stressors Flashcards
What will happen if your brain continues to perceive something as threatening?
A second system will kick in.
What will the hypothalamus do as the initial surge of adrenaline subsides?
Active a stress response system called the HPA axis.
What does the HPA axis consist of?
The hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands.
What is the H in the HPA axis?
Hypothalamus.
What does the hypothalamus release into the bloodstream in response to a continued threat?
A chemical messenger called CRH.
What is the P in the HPA axis?
Pituitary gland.
As the pituitary gland receives CRH, what will it do?
Produce and release ACTH.
What happens to the ACTH once the pituitary gland has produced ad released it?
It will travel in the bloodstream to its target sites in the adrenal glands.
What is the A in the HPA axis?
Adrenal glands.
What does ACTH stimulate?
The adrenal cortex to release carious stress related hormones including cortisol.
What is cortisol responsible for?
Several effects that are important in the fight or flight response.
Are the effects of cortisol positive or negative?
Both.
What are two examples of a positive effects of cortisol?
A quick burst of energy.
Lower sensitivity to pain.
What are two examples of negative effects of cortisol?
Impaired cognitive performance.
Lowered immune response.
In what way is the HPA axis system very efficient at regulating itself?
Both the hypothalamus and pituitary gland have special receptors that monitor cortisol levels.
If the levels get too high, they indicate reduction in CHR and ACTH levels which bring cortisol levels back to normal/
