The Effect of Stress on the Brain
Stress is predominantly a bodily response to an environmental stimulus. Stress responses are an important warning system to indicate approaching danger. For instance, the stress of physical pain is a warning for tissue damage, the stress of hunger warns of impending low blood sugar levels, the emotional stress of loneliness warns of potential vulnerability from predators and a lack of group protection (*) There are many different sources of stress, consequentially, the effects it can have on the brain are vast. Broadly speaking, a stimulus is detected by sensory organs, triggering an electrical impulse to corresponding areas of the brain. Following detection of stress-inducing stimuli, one may begin to experience physiological and emotional arousal. Early theories have speculated the role the brain plays in the stress response. For instance, James-Lange theory suggests we react emotionally following physiological signs of stress, whereas Cannon-Bard theory put forth the idea that emotional and physiological responses to stress are simultaneous. As humans have adapted to a …show more content…
This is a network of nerve pathways which run from lower parts of the brain to other organs. The ANS is predominantly controlled by the hypothalamus and is supposed to help regulate normal bodily functions. This activation of the sympathetic branch then stimulates the adrenal medulla. This is located on the adrenal gland’s inner core. This causes it to release the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones regulate metabolic change. In the sympathetic response, they enable the mobilisation of fats and carbohydrates which increases the body’s available energy. The resultant physiological arousal from this increase in energy includes higher blood pressure, increase in activity of sweat glands and an increase in heart
Stress is predominantly a bodily response to an environmental stimulus. Stress responses are an important warning system to indicate approaching danger. For instance, the stress of physical pain is a warning for tissue damage, the stress of hunger warns of impending low blood sugar levels, the emotional stress of loneliness warns of potential vulnerability from predators and a lack of group protection (*) There are many different sources of stress, consequentially, the effects it can have on the brain are vast. Broadly speaking, a stimulus is detected by sensory organs, triggering an electrical impulse to corresponding areas of the brain. Following detection of stress-inducing stimuli, one may begin to experience physiological and emotional arousal. Early theories have speculated the role the brain plays in the stress response. For instance, James-Lange theory suggests we react emotionally following physiological signs of stress, whereas Cannon-Bard theory put forth the idea that emotional and physiological responses to stress are simultaneous. As humans have adapted to a …show more content…
This is a network of nerve pathways which run from lower parts of the brain to other organs. The ANS is predominantly controlled by the hypothalamus and is supposed to help regulate normal bodily functions. This activation of the sympathetic branch then stimulates the adrenal medulla. This is located on the adrenal gland’s inner core. This causes it to release the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones regulate metabolic change. In the sympathetic response, they enable the mobilisation of fats and carbohydrates which increases the body’s available energy. The resultant physiological arousal from this increase in energy includes higher blood pressure, increase in activity of sweat glands and an increase in heart