The stress hormone cortisol and its effect on the body

General concept of stress

The term stress in medicine refers to an unfavorable, negative impact load on the human body, leading to various psychological and physiological reactions.

From the point of view of morphological and functional development, stress is characterized by an adaptation syndrome, which has three stages:

• The first stage is the alarm reaction
  . The body's normal resistance decreases, a state of shock occurs, during which a person loses the ability to partially or completely control his actions and thoughts. At the first stage, protective mechanisms are also included in the work.
• The second stage of resistance or otherwise resistance
  . The tension observed during the functioning of all vital systems leads to the fact that the body begins to adapt (adapt) to new conditions. At this stage, the individual can already make decisions that should help him cope with stress.
• The third stage is exhaustion
  . It manifests itself as a failure of defense mechanisms, which ultimately leads to a pathological disruption in the interaction of particularly important functions of the body. If stress moves into the third stage, then it becomes chronic, capable of giving impetus to the development of many diseases.

The severity of stress is determined by the severity of the main symptoms, these are:

• Physiological manifestations
  . Stress leads to headaches, pain in the chest, back, changes in blood pressure, and redness in certain areas of the body. Long-term stressful situations cause eczema, atopic dermatitis, and gastric ulcers.
• Psychological manifestations
  . Decreased appetite, increased nervousness and irritability, decreased interest in life, rapid excitability, constant anticipation of possible troubles, nervous tics, depressive states are psychological manifestations of stress.

In psychology, there are two types of stress:

• Eustress or stress that is “beneficial” for the body. The development of the human body is impossible without the influence of minor stressful situations. Getting up in the morning, hobbies, studying, meeting with loved ones - all this leads to the production of stress hormones, but if their amount is within the normal range, then this only benefits the body.
• Distress or negative stress. They arise at a moment of critical stress in the body and their manifestations correspond to all traditional ideas about stress.

What causes stress?

The human body enters a state of stress under the influence of events occurring at work, in personal life, and in society.

Stress is often experienced by those who find themselves in emergency situations. In stressful situations, identical biochemical changes occur in the body, their main goal is to relieve the growing tension.

Stressful changes in the body occur with the participation of two systems, these are:

• Sympathoadrenal system.
• Pituitary-hypothalamic-adrenal.

Their work is controlled by the hypothalamus and higher parts of the brain, and intense work leads to the release of certain substances called stress hormones.

The task of these hormones is to mobilize the body’s physical resources in order to extinguish the influence of factors that cause stress.

Main stress hormones and their features

Under the influence of stressful situations in the body, the activity of the main functional systems and their normal functioning change dramatically.

At this time, certain hormones play the main role in maintaining the changed status.

They are secreted by endocrine glands, especially the adrenal glands.

When stressed, the adrenal cortex releases stress hormones into the bloodstream, belonging to four groups:

• Glucocorticoids are cortisol and corticosterone. It is cortisol that begins to be produced in large quantities in stressful and emergency situations for a person. Also, its increased release occurs during intense physical activity and against the background of lack of nutrition. Cortisol has a long-lasting effect and its constantly elevated levels cause depression and memory impairment. During normal functioning of the body, cortisol in the blood serum is found in maximum quantities in the morning and in minimal quantities at night. This hormone begins to be intensely released during constant overexertion; an indirect sign of this condition can be a craving for fatty foods and sweet dishes. Thus, cortisol signals that fat deposits are necessary in order to have an energy reserve to fight future “enemies.” With chronic stress, cortisol is produced in such quantities that it becomes harmful to the body. Under its influence, blood pressure increases, the functioning of the immune system decreases, the tone of muscle tissue decreases, abdominal fat begins to be deposited, and hyperglycemia develops. Such changes give impetus to the development of diseases such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes. Therefore, in some sources cortisol is referred to as the “death hormone.”
• Mineralocortioxides. This group of adrenal hormones includes aldosterone, which is responsible for the process of reabsorption - the reabsorption of fluids. If the level of aldosterone increases, fluid begins to be retained in the body and edema forms.
• Sex hormones androgens, estrogens. With a high level of estrogen in the blood, the pain threshold increases, that is, a person tolerates pain more easily.
• Catecholamines – norepinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine. They are secreted by the adrenal medulla and are considered biologically active substances. Adrenaline has a powerful effect, but its effect wears off quite quickly compared to cortisol. Therefore, adrenaline is predominantly involved in the development of short-term anxiety and panic. An increase in adrenaline in the blood is noted already in the first minutes and seconds of the influence of the stressor. According to some scientists, frequent release of adrenaline can cause cancer.

It's not just the adrenal glands that produce stress hormones. A hormone involved in metabolic reactions, accelerating biochemical reactions and increasing attention, is produced by the thyroid gland and pituitary gland.

The thyroid gland produces thyroxine and triiodothyronine, and the anterior pituitary gland produces growth hormone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, and ACTH.

Stress hormones, especially adrenaline, prolactin and cortisol, prepare the human body for the development of unusual, complex conditions by turning on certain mechanisms.

During stress, blood sugar and blood pressure rise, this is required to provide the necessary nutrition to the brain and muscles.

Such changes cause fear and panic and at the same time prepare a person to confront the threat.

Recommendations for treatment and prevention

If the increased supply of fear hormones is caused by moments that do not pose a real threat to a person (doctors, speaking in front of an audience, closed spaces, etc.), the risk of developing phobias increases. In this case, you will need the help of a specialist. You can contact psychologist-hypnologist Nikita Valerevich Baturin.

After examination, treatment is prescribed. Integrated approaches including hypnotherapy, homeopathy and sedatives are considered effective methods. Is it not so important what produces fear? The main thing is to understand its root cause and take the right steps to eliminate the problem.

To prevent the development of fears and reduce symptoms, it is recommended:

• avoid stressful situations;
• listen to relaxing classical music;
• do yoga and auto-training;
• swim or run in the morning.

Creative work will be an excellent way to distract from the manifestation of phobias. An interesting and exciting hobby will allow you to redirect your thoughts and focus on other things. In homeopathy, herbal teas, tinctures, aromatic baths, and plant-based sedatives are used for treatment.

In addition, it is necessary to reconsider the diet. Fat consumption is limited as much as possible, and plant foods become a priority. For a comprehensive effect, take multivitamins.

Cortisol, adrenaline, prolactin, norepinephrine are hormones responsible for courage, vigor, anger and fear. Their lack, as well as an overdose, negatively affects the body. Therefore, any deviations require the intervention of a specialist, especially if they are accompanied by phobias.

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How stress hormones affect the body, their functions

A stressful situation initially leads to confusion and increased anxiety.

These conditions are considered to prepare the body for more pronounced changes.

Information about a threat or unusual situation enters the brain, is processed there and, through nerve endings, enters vital organs.

This leads to the fact that stress hormones begin to enter the bloodstream in huge quantities.

If a person experiences physical stress, more norepinephrine is released. During mental stress, adrenaline is produced.

Each of the stress hormones triggers its own mechanism of action, which affects the appearance of certain symptoms.

Cortisol

Cortisol begins to be actively produced in emergency situations, when there is a lack of nutrients entering the body, or during increased physical activity.

It is considered normal when the cortisol level is within 10 μg/dl; in a severe state of shock, this level can reach 180 μg/dl.

An increase in cortisol is a protective reaction of the body, allowing a person to make the right decisions faster in stressful situations.

To achieve this, additional energy is needed. Therefore, high cortisol levels lead to the following changes:

• To convert muscle tissue amino acids into glucose, which is necessary to release energy and relieve tension.
• To insulin metabolism.
• To anti-inflammatory reactions that occur as a result of the fact that the permeability of the vascular walls decreases and the production of inflammatory mediators is inhibited.
• To the immunoregulatory effect on the body. Cortisol reduces the activity of allergens and lymphocytes.

With increased production of cortisol, it destroys hippocampal neurons, which negatively affects the functioning of the brain as a whole.

Prolactin

Prolactin has anabolic and metabolic effects on the body. Under the influence of this hormone, metabolic processes change and protein synthesis accelerates.

Prolactin also has an immunoregulatory effect, regulates water-salt metabolism, mental functions and behavioral reactions of the body.

Adrenalin

As already mentioned, adrenaline begins to be actively released at a moment of severe anxiety, with fear, rage, panic.

The main effect of adrenaline is bronchodilator and antispasmodic; in addition, this hormone is also an antidiuretic.

You can determine the moment of adrenaline release in large quantities by the dilating pupil.

Under the influence of adrenaline, the frequency and depth of breathing decreases, the walls of the internal organs relax, the motor function of the stomach is inhibited and less digestive enzymes and juices are released.

At the same time, the contractility of skeletal muscles increases; if you do a urine test during a severe stressful situation, you can detect sodium and potassium ions.

The release of norepinephrine causes an increase in blood pressure, but the heart rate does not accelerate. Norepinephrine reduces diuresis, reduces the secretory activity of the stomach, increases salivary secretion and relaxes the smooth muscles located in the intestinal walls.

Types of fears

There are two types of reactions to anxiety:

1. An active type, in which the body’s defense is expressed by a panic attack, strong emotionality, and anger. At the same time, a person’s physical abilities are enhanced. During an increased release of adrenaline, an individual is able to do unusual things that he cannot repeat in a normal state (jumping over high fences, running very fast, lifting weights).
2. A passive reaction appears on a subconscious level when a person makes attempts to hide or escape from anxiety. Such fears are typical of children hiding in a closet or under a pillow. The fear hormone produced helps activate all resources in the body, protecting the individual from threat.

It is noted that fear occurs differently in each individual, depending on life experience and personal characteristics.

Consequences of elevated cortisol and prolactin levels

More negative changes in the body occur if there is constantly a large amount of cortisol or prolactin in the blood.

If cortisol levels remain at a consistently high level for a long time, this becomes the cause of:

• Decreased muscle mass. The body synthesizes energy not from incoming food, but from muscle tissue.
• The percentage of body fat increases. With elevated cortisol, a person constantly craves sweets, and this provokes weight gain.
• The appearance of folds on the abdomen. When cortisol levels are high, fat deposits accumulate inside the abdomen, they push out the muscle layer, and the figure takes on the shape of an apple.
• Diabetes mellitus type 2. Under the influence of cortisol, insulin production decreases and at the same time more glucose appears in the blood due to muscle destruction. That is, blood sugar almost doubles.
• Decrease in testosterone levels.
• Increased risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. High levels of cortisol force the body to constantly work under overload, which negatively affects the condition of blood vessels and the heart muscle.
• Osteoporosis. Cortisol impairs the absorption of collagen and calcium, slows down regeneration processes, which causes increased fragility of bone tissue.

The hormone prolactin is responsible for the formation of progesterone. This hormone is of greater importance for the woman’s body.

In stressful situations, prolactin has a strong effect on metabolic reactions and mechanisms that regulate water content in the body.

During depression, prolactin is produced in large quantities and this becomes the cause of a variety of pathologies, including the development of cancer cells.

Excessive amounts of prolactin cause lack of ovulation, miscarriage, and mastopathy.

Prolactin is also important for men’s health; if it is not enough, sexual function may suffer and there is a predisposition to the formation of adenoma.

↑ Classification

Stress is a condition in which the adrenal glands are activated. This reaction could be:

1. Positive. In this case, it is called eustress. An unexpected reason for joy appears, for example, as a result of meeting an old friend or after receiving an unexpected gift. The release of stress hormones is also observed during competitions in athletes, when they feel a thirst for victory. Such reactions do not have a negative impact on health. On the contrary, it was in a state of eustress that people accomplished most of their feats and significant discoveries.
2. Negative. This is already distress. This reaction can be harmful to your health.

Distress, in turn, is divided into:

1. Neuropsychic. It can be informational and psycho-emotional. In the first case, the cause is excess information. Typical for people who constantly work with large amounts of data. In the second case, the state is provoked by strong anger, hatred, and resentment.
2. Physical. It can be temperature, food, pain, color. The temperature response is formed as a response to exposure to extremely low or high temperatures. A food reaction is observed during hunger or forced consumption of foods that a person does not like. Pain distress is a response to injury, the sensation of pain. Light is formed if a person has to stay in an illuminated room for a long time, for example, in polar day conditions.

Causes of increased stress hormones in the body

Stress hormones begin to be produced in the human body during stressful situations.

A sharp production of hormones, mainly adrenaline, can be caused by emergencies - an earthquake, an accident, a thermal injury.

Adrenaline is produced in excess quantities during parachute jumping, during exercise and other extreme sports.

A long-term or even permanent increase in cortisol and prolactin occurs due to:

• Severe, long-term illness.
• Loss of a relative or loved one.
• Divorce.
• Deterioration of financial situation.
• Problems at work.
• Retirement.
• Problems with the law.
• Sexual dysfunctions.

In women, stress hormones may begin to accumulate after pregnancy.

Sometimes after the birth of a child the situation only gets worse, which can lead to severe psychosis or postpartum depression.

Chronically elevated cortisol concentrations may be due to:

• Intermittent fasting or strict diets.
• Improper organization of physical activity. Sports should be practiced under the guidance of an experienced trainer who knows how the level of training affects the critical increase in cortisone and can, by selecting the right sets of exercises, neutralize this harmful effect.
• Abuse of coffee. A cup of strong coffee raises cortisol levels by 30%. Therefore, if you drink several cups of the drink during the day, this will lead to a constantly elevated level of the stress hormone.

The situation is aggravated if a person constantly lacks sleep, works a lot and does not know how to rest.

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The extent to which excess stress affects men and women

The selection and level of secrets a man and a woman have is different, therefore, they react differently to difficult situations. The level of stress hormone in women, as a rule, takes longer to normalize, so the weaker sex does not immediately calm down after quarrels and scandals due to reactivity and the low rate of excitability cycles of the nervous system. Given that women are susceptible to various psychological stimuli, it can be argued that they are the most vulnerable in such moments. Psychologists also explain this fact by the fact that men are more selfish and perceive only events that happen directly to them. Ladies worry not only about themselves, but also about their relatives and people close to them. The propensity of women to certain types of diseases also varies. Gender selectivity is obvious in the influence of stress on hormones, which, when exceeding the norm, provoke illnesses.

Signs

Symptoms of stress depend on several factors, such as the state of a person’s psyche, the stage of the pathological process, and the strength of the negative impact. Signs of stress are divided into physical and psychological. The most pronounced psychological symptoms in their manifestations are:

• The occurrence of causeless anxiety.
• Internal tension.
• Constant dissatisfaction.
• Constantly bad mood, depression.
• Decreased interest in work, personal life, and loved ones.

Physical symptoms may include extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight loss, irritability, or apathy.

Women during pregnancy and after childbirth may experience stress urinary incontinence, that is, its spontaneous release when coughing, sneezing, etc.

Urinary incontinence after stress is also observed in young children.

It is necessary to exclude an increased level of prolactin in the body if:

• Infertility.
• Miscarriages in the first weeks of pregnancy.
• Galactorrhea, that is, when milk is released from the nipples.
• Frigidity and decreased libido.
• Acne and hirsutism.
• Menstrual cycle disorders.
• Increased appetite, which can cause obesity.

With prolonged production of prolactin, the structure of the cells that produce this hormone changes, and as a result, a tumor begins to grow - prolactinoma.

This tumor compresses the optic nerve and negatively affects the nervous system.

Its main symptoms are decreased visual acuity, sleep disturbances, and depression.

A chronic increase in cortisol can be assumed based on the following signs:

• Weight gain with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
• Increased heart rate. High cortisol levels cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to an increased heart rate even at rest.
• Nervousness that occurs even without any particular reason.
• Decreased libido.
• Frequent sweating and frequent urination.
• Insomnia
• Depressive state.

Manifestations of increased stress hormones sometimes lead to severe and not always reversible changes.

In some cases, people prefer to cope with stress themselves, muffling psycho-emotional manifestations with alcohol, drug use, and gambling.

Clinical manifestation

When fear hormones increase in a person’s blood, a number of characteristic symptoms occur:

• excessive sweating;
• feeling of dryness in the mouth;
• increased heart rate;
• trembling, moving hair on the head and body.

The last factor is scientifically substantiated; scientists note that in case of panic, the hair growths on the follicles begin to actually change under the injection of these fear hormones. This symptom is classified as biological factors, since animals react in a similar way.

The following symptoms are also observed with fear:

• dilated pupils;
• increased blood clotting;
• dilatation of cerebral vessels;
• narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract and skin system;
• tremor of the jaw and limbs;
• dysfunction of the heart and kidneys;
• weight loss;
• depressive state.

If the fear hormone is supplied in an increased dose for a long time, a malfunction occurs throughout the body. An increased portion of glucose and inhibition of insulin production have a negative effect on the nervous system.

With an increased amount of cortisol, the following manifestations:

• obesity (with a long stay in fear);
• mood swings;
• fatigue, loss of performance, general exhaustion;
• activation of diabetes, abnormal metabolism, joint diseases.

The arrival of the fear hormone adrenaline neutralizes nicotine. In people who smoke, the symptoms are not as pronounced and manifest as weakness throughout the body.

How to reduce

The only way to reduce the release of stress hormones in the body is to minimize the impact of stress. To do this you need:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, that is, do not overwork, get a good night’s sleep, and walk in the fresh air.
• Play sports. Exercises should be regular, but they should be given a maximum of 50 minutes per day.
• Avoid stress. To learn how to adequately respond to negative stress, you can learn yoga, meditation, and use various relaxation techniques. If you are hypersensitive, it is better to stop viewing negative news and materials.
• Learn to structure your diet so that the body receives all the substances it needs, and the digestive system is not overloaded. You need to reduce your caffeine intake, eat more plant foods, drink more water.
• Smile more often. Watching a comedy, chatting with friends, laughing sincerely - all these are positive emotions that do not allow cortisol levels to rise sharply.

There will definitely be stressful situations in the lives of any of us. And how the body reacts to the release of stress hormones depends on the person himself.

Therefore, you must definitely learn not to react sharply to negative factors and, if necessary, do not hesitate to seek help from a psychologist.