stress- SAM and PAS

SAM- sympathetic adrenal medullary system

is acute (immediate) response to stress

Ensures the body is ready to use energy

• Brain perceives a stressor
• activales SNS
• adrenal medulla releases adrenaline.
• initiates FOFR

FOFR= Fight or flight response

increase heart rate

increase blood pressure

increase breathing rate

strong emotions

dilation of pupils

decrease of saliva

PAS= Pituitary- Adrenal System

PAS is a response to chronic stress (on going stress)

Takes upto 20 mins to complete

Self regulating system

If cortisol levels rises CRF + ACTH production reduces

• Brain perceives a stressor
• CRF released into the bloodstream
• CRF causes Pituitary gland to release ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) into blood
• ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex
• It releases corticosteroides (cortisol)
• Causes Liver to release glucose into blood leading to production of energy

1) chronic stress involves repeated episodes of increase heart rate and blood pressure- formation of plague in cardiovascular system

2) Adrenaline and Nor- Adrenaline contributes to increasing in blood cholesterol levels- leads to blood clots and artery walls become thinckened

3) Repeated episodes of FOFR leads to raised heart rate is linked to more rapid build up of cholesterol

Taylor et al: gender differences

Men react to stress with a FOFR whereas women react with a "tend and befriend response"

Gender differences seen in many species

Women protect and nurture their young (tend) and seek social contact and support from other females (befriend)

• High levels of oxytocin is associated with reduced cortisol levels and faster recovery to acute stress response.

• Male hormones reduce effects of oxytocin

• Female hormone (oestrogen) amplifies effect of oxytocin