THE STRESS SYSTEM
It is a primitive system that our body has developed in order to protect itself from any external threat, securing the survival of the individual.
What is the stress system;
Stress is defined as anything that can disrupt the body’s homeostasis and threatens its existence. The word stress comes from the verb strangling and shows exactly the psychosomatic state in which the organism is under. For this reason, the human body has developed a specialized system dealing with stress.
TopWhere is the stress system located;
The central unit of the stress system is located in the brain and consists of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, while the peripheral components consist of the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal glands. These organs form an axis from the brain to the periphery, which is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
TopHow does the stress system work;
The adrenals and the sympathetic nervous system perform the commands received by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Then, the adrenal glands produce and secrete cortisol and catecholamines, which activate those mechanisms that will secure the person’s survival. For this reason, the defense system and the mechanisms of inflammation are recruited, while energy-consuming functions, such as reproduction, are suppressed in order to save energy to deal with stress.
TopWhat are the consequences of the chronic stress;
When stress is not dealt with and becomes chronic, it causes a number of disorders that threaten both mental and physical health. Conditions associated with chronic stress lead to:
- hypogonadism
- infertility
- chronic mild inflammation, which in turn leads to
- atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease,
- diabetes, osteoporosis,
- premature ageing and
- cancer
At the same time, chronic cortisol hypersecretion from the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, but also the activation of the sympathetic system lead to:
- hypertension
- central obesity
- insomnia
- depression.
What is the reward system;
In contrast to the health-damaging disorders brought about by chronic stress, the body has also a system of induction of positive emotions and suppressing the stress system, such as the reward system with the goal to repeat a behavior that is beneficial for survival, such as food intake.
TopWhere is the reward system located and how does it work;
The reward system is located in the brain and consists of a network of neurons in different parts of the brain. To communicate with each other, these neurons use the neurotransmitter dopamine. When a behavior is associated with satisfaction or reward, dopamine is released leading to pleasure and “educates” the brain to repeat this behavior.
TopHow is the reward system related to addiction and other serious diseases;
The same center of the brain responsible for reward is also responsible for addiction, with the ultimate goal of repeating a behavior that is beneficial for survival. For example, carbohydrates (sugar) are the sole source of energy for the brain. Their intake leads to dopamine release, which causes pleasure and motivates the brain to repeat this behavior. To do this, the brain changes the function of its neurons so that man is less able to make decisions and control his behavior, thus reducing its resistance to sugar. This leads to overeating, obesity and diabetes with harmful health consequences.
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