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Stress Hormones

Definition

Stress hormones are chemicals released into the body in response to stress. They include cortisol, adrenaline (also known as epinephrine), and norepinephrine.

Analogy

Think of stress hormones like your body's alarm system. When you're under stress, it's like an alarm going off in your body. This alarm triggers the release of these hormones which prepare your body for action - similar to how a school's fire alarm prepares students for evacuation.

Related terms

Fight-or-Flight Response: A physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event or threat to survival. It involves the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine.

Cortisol: Often called the "stress hormone," cortisol regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body including metabolism and immune response.

Adrenal Glands: These are small glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones including adrenaline and cortisol in response to stress.