Chapter 1. The Health Effects of the Body's Stress Response

Introduction

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Video

This brief video clip begins with an overview of the everyday sources of stress experienced by a busy mother and corporate attorney, who balances the demands of family, job, technology, and even the family pet. Next, the short and long-term effects of stress are described. In response to a potential stressor, the brain signals surges of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which increase energy, strengthen the immune system, and even improve reflexes and memory. Chronic stress, however, can adversely affect every physiological system, accelerating aging, causing neurons to shrink, shortening the protective telomere endings of chromosomes, and making animals and people more susceptible to disease, anxiety, and depression.

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