What is Stress?

My Dear Sexy Readers,

First of all, I would like to thank Mica from Science Koekje for her blog lovin' and mentioning Science So Sexy in her latest blog article. If you don't know her yet, she's a beauty blogger from Germany based in Belgium (and I shall add "for Love"). You, my Sexy readers, might be interested in her review on her first Belgian BirchBox.



Now, on to our next topic that fits into our rich November's awareness campaigns list:
The 16th  National Stress Awareness Day, which is held to celebrate helping people to beat stress is taking place today, 5th of November 2014.

http://www.isma.org.uk/about-national-stress-awareness-day-nsad/

Of course, you might say, "Uh uh, today is Guy Fawkes' day!" - Although if you are not UK-based, you probably don't know about this traditional fireworks extravaganza. Mind you if you are UK-based, you might think there is a sick link between the two, reality is there isn't... but could be!

Now, I chose this affliction as part of my Condition awareness list because I really do feel it is a physical, as well as psychological, affliction and therefore deserves a mention on a science-related blog.

Stress

From here

Stress can have a massive impact on our body. Within our brain and body, our central nervous system plays a huge role and it works closely with the body's endocrine system (= hormonal system) to regulate the stress-related mechanisms.

From our brain side, we have to think about it like a giant network that fires information about a stressful situation:

Different brain regions are involved

A giant network of brain regions including:

* Our Hypothalamus (located below the Thalamus)

It produces various hormones such as the corticotropin-releasing hormone when it senses a stressful event.
This hormone stimulates the pituitary gland to release the adrenocorticotropic hormone which itself stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol (see the HPA axis figure below).

The HPA axis is a multi-step biochemical pathway that can regulate itself via feedback

Now, Cortisol is very important because it is the one that increase blood sugar to redistribute energy to regions of the body that need it most during the fight-or-flight situation. It also suppresses the immune system (you can get sick more quickly or recover more slowly) and helps the fat and protein metabolism (you can lose weight, although it has also been shown that chronic stress promotes the accumulation of abdominal fat).

* The Amygdala
It is thought to be involved in the process of emotions, also modulates response mechanisms to stress.

* The Hippocampus
It is another part of our brain and the one that plays a very important role in memory. Under stress, remembering memories can be very important in inducing a response to the stress situation. Under chronic stress, the Hippocampus is highly susceptible to damage because it becomes overstimulated.

* The prefrontal cortex
It is very important to regulate our behaviour including planning, attention and problem solving. Under stress, the connections it establishes with other regions to make it happen can be affected. That's why some people feel overwhelmed and cannot think under pressure. Ever experienced a blank mind?

Anatomy of the brain

* The Locus coeruleus
It is an area located in the pons of the brainstem that produces a very important hormone called noradrenaline involved in the fight-or-flight response to stress (along with its counterpart adrenaline). You know those butterflies?

* Another area in the pons of the brainstem called Raphe nucleus
It produces another important neurotransmitter called serotonin which plays a role in mood regulation, extending to anxiety, fear and depression conditions. It is also thought to be involved in the body's circadian rhythm and sensation of pain.

Chronic stress

Unfortunately, chronic stress has a more damaging effect on our body than a single stressful event. Chronic stress can raise blood pressure, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, increase vulnerability to anxiety and depression, contribute to infertility, and hasten the aging process.

Also, in these conditions, cortisol which normally prevents the production of cytokines, whose job is to initiate an immune response against illnesses, is over produced. This means that our anti-inflammatory response is not optimal and a potential illness won't be cured as fast.


And that, my Dear Sexy Readers, is only a summary of the biology of stress. Now, to address the psychological aspect of stress is a whole new chapter!! But as promised, I stick to the Science I understand.
If you want more information, feel free to visit the International Stress Management Association.

Are you suffering from constant stress? How do you cope? 

See you Soon for more Sexy Science,