Kafli 9. – Stress Hormone Highs
Overview: What a Rush!
The energy derived from control over others can
be seductive and addictive as any activity
known to humankind. Some world leaders seem
to feed off willful induction of conflicts –
evoking high levels of stress in overlapping
spheres of their personal and political lives. This
characteristic is likely related to the exhilaration
derived from “Stress Hormone Highs”
Introduction
When emotional excitement
exceeds an optimal point, whether
the evoked feelings are positive or
negative – the result is progressive
impairment of one’s ability to
function.
• Yerkes-Dodson law – optimal performance is
reached with increases of physiological or mental
arousal, but only to a certain point
– Optimal arousal levels are individualized
Figure 9.1 Relationship Between Arousal and Performance:
Yerkes-Dodson Law
1
, Selye (1956,1971,1974) Introduced the concept of getting high on our own stress hormone.
When we become excited through either anger or fear the brain signals hormone producing
glands to release chemicals that prepare us for fight or flight. The adrenal glands produce
cortisol, a chemical that increases blood sugar and speeds up the body's metabolism. Other
messages to the adrenal glands result in the release of the amphetamine -like stimulant
epinephrine (adrenaline), Which helps supply glucose to the muscles and brain and
norepinephrine, which speeds up the heartrate and elevates blood pressure.
Stress response.
In response to stress, the hypothalamus releases CRH
which stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH
into the general circulation.
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol Figure 9.2 Stress Response
(a chemical that increases blood sugar and speeds up
the body’s metabolism) into the general circulation. Wake Me Up! Caffeine Buzz
The hypothalamus also stimulates the adrenal medulla
to release the catecholamine's, epinephrine and The energy drink industry is rapidly expanding.
norepinephrine, into the general circulation. In 2012 – worldwide sales were estimated to be
Catecholamines mobilize stored fat and make the
over $12.5 billion US, an increase of 60%from
heartbeat faster and stronger.
2008.
2
Overview: What a Rush!
The energy derived from control over others can
be seductive and addictive as any activity
known to humankind. Some world leaders seem
to feed off willful induction of conflicts –
evoking high levels of stress in overlapping
spheres of their personal and political lives. This
characteristic is likely related to the exhilaration
derived from “Stress Hormone Highs”
Introduction
When emotional excitement
exceeds an optimal point, whether
the evoked feelings are positive or
negative – the result is progressive
impairment of one’s ability to
function.
• Yerkes-Dodson law – optimal performance is
reached with increases of physiological or mental
arousal, but only to a certain point
– Optimal arousal levels are individualized
Figure 9.1 Relationship Between Arousal and Performance:
Yerkes-Dodson Law
1
, Selye (1956,1971,1974) Introduced the concept of getting high on our own stress hormone.
When we become excited through either anger or fear the brain signals hormone producing
glands to release chemicals that prepare us for fight or flight. The adrenal glands produce
cortisol, a chemical that increases blood sugar and speeds up the body's metabolism. Other
messages to the adrenal glands result in the release of the amphetamine -like stimulant
epinephrine (adrenaline), Which helps supply glucose to the muscles and brain and
norepinephrine, which speeds up the heartrate and elevates blood pressure.
Stress response.
In response to stress, the hypothalamus releases CRH
which stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH
into the general circulation.
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol Figure 9.2 Stress Response
(a chemical that increases blood sugar and speeds up
the body’s metabolism) into the general circulation. Wake Me Up! Caffeine Buzz
The hypothalamus also stimulates the adrenal medulla
to release the catecholamine's, epinephrine and The energy drink industry is rapidly expanding.
norepinephrine, into the general circulation. In 2012 – worldwide sales were estimated to be
Catecholamines mobilize stored fat and make the
over $12.5 billion US, an increase of 60%from
heartbeat faster and stronger.
2008.
2
