The Natural Stress Response

The human body is well equipped to handle stress. A wide array of hormones and neurotransmitters exist to maintain homeostasis in response to physical and psychogenic stressors. The adrenal glands are located at the center of the body’s stress response system. When the sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system is activated, the adrenals respond by releasing epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. These chemicals increase heart rate and blood pressure, diverting blood to the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. The adrenals are also responsible for producing aldosterone and sex hormones.¹

Adrenal insufficiency is a well-documented condition in which the adrenals cannot keep up with the stress response of the body. This can happen if there is destruction of the adrenal cortex (primary insufficiency) or if factors outside of the adrenal glands stimulate them to produce less cortisol (secondary insufficiency). Although not widely accepted by conventional medicine, many complementary medicine practitioners believe that a subclinical adrenal fatigue, or burnout, can develop when the adrenals have been working hard to keep up with high stress demands over time. Sustained levels of high cortisol may lead to decreased responsiveness in the pituitary and adrenal cortex. This decreases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, respectively.^1,2

The Effects of Stress on the Body

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency

• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Weight/muscle loss
• Low blood pressure
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of hair

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue

• Fatigue
• Difficulty with morning waking
• Prone to infection and difficulty bouncing back after being sick
• Craving sweet or salty snacks