Anxiety and hormonal influence on it

What is anxiety? Anxiety is a physiological response to perceived danger. The danger perceived does not have to be real to have a real effect on our bodies. Anxiety triggers hormones to be used by the body to achieve safety.

Cortisol and Stress Response

In stressful situations, anxiety produces physiological changes in your body by triggering the production of cortisol. Cortisol, a hormone steroid, affects the whole body and triggers your fight-or-flight instinct. For instance, being chased by a large dog or narrowly missing a car wreck causes you to experience increased heart rate, respiration rate, and heightened senses that help you respond quickly to the perceived danger. This response is an example of acute stress.

Chronic stress is caused by an ongoing stressor that you do not have a choice in ending. For example, being a police officer, a first responder, or in a position of abuse can cause you to be in a state of heightened awareness constantly. In this case, your cortisol levels remain high, which can cause devastating damage to your body.

Traumatic stress occurs when you have experienced a sudden violent incident that causes you to feel like you are going to die. Near-death experiences, such as surviving an airplane crash or being involved in an act of war, no matter which side you’re on, can trigger PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)—causing you to relive the traumatic effects when you are exposed to a similar situation. A smell or sound can trigger this response and cause your cortisol levels to go through the roof, which in turn causes you to experience a heightened level of anxiety. Fear and anxiety are helpful to you in responding to harmful situations because it helps you to survive them. Too much and for extended periods, however, can negatively affect your:

• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Musculoskeletal system.
• Nervous system.
• Immune system.
• Reproductive system.
• Integumentary system.

In GHD studies, lowered anxiety levels were seen in subjects receiving HGH replacement. Other hgh results after 1 month were improvements in emotional control and more positive atititudes.

Serotonin and Mood Regulation

Your brain uses serotonin to regulate moods. A deficiency brings on depression and a general dissatisfaction with your outlook on life. Serotonin inhibits cortisol production and aids dopamine production, making you feel better.

GABA and Relaxation Response

GABA produces a feeling of calm, allowing you to respond to outside stimuli in a more logical manner. Breathing exercises, yoga, acupuncture and meditation can trigger GABA production. Relaxation techniques are useful tools for cultivating GABA production.

Relaxation techniques might not be that important to you when faced with everyday jobs or illness. On the other hand, you might miss out on how these techniques can benefit your health.

Relaxation techniques can:

• Slow heart rate.
• Lower blood pressure.
• Slow breathing rate.
• Improve digestion.
• Control blood sugar levels.
• Lessened activity of stress hormones.
• Increase blood flow to major muscles.
• Ease muscle tension and chronic pain.
• Improve focus and mood.
• Improve sleep quality.
• Lower fatigue.
• Lessen anger and frustration.

To increase efficacy:

• Think positively.
• Find humor.
• Solve problems.
• Manage time and priorities.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Get enough sleep.
• Spend time outside.
• Reach out to supportive family and friends.

Remember that relaxation techniques are skills. As with any skill, your ability to relax improves with practice. Be patient with yourself. Don’t let your effort to try relaxation techniques become yet another stressor.

If one relaxation technique doesn’t work for you, try another one. If none of your efforts at lessening your stress work, talk to your healthcare professional about other options.

Endorphins and Stress Relief

You release endorphins when you experience stress and pain. They allow you to get through a particular threat without registering pain. They are also released when experiencing pleasure like eating, having sex, and getting a massage.

Oxytocin and Social Connection

Oxytocin is a hormone that triggers the bonding process during labor and delivery. It also stimulates contractions in the uterus and breast tissue to promote breast milk production. Oxytocin is responsible for the urge to cuddle with your significant other, leading it to be nicknamed “the love hormone.”

Melatonin and sleep quality

Melatonin is vital for our sleep patterns and influences our sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin levels are naturally at their peak at night and are negatively impacted by stress. We all sleep poorly when unprepared for an important test at school or a presentation at work. We do not sleep well if our melatonin levels are low, and low melatonin makes it difficult to sleep. Occasionally, we may need a melatonin supplement to restore a regular sleep pattern.

Thyroid Hormones and Metabolic Balance

Thyroid hormones regulate energy production. This is why you hear someone say their weight gain is due to a thyroid condition. If you are anxious, your thyroid can not adequately supply this hormone. If your body is not producing enough thyroid hormones, you will experience weight gain and constant fatigue.

To sum up, stress kills. It does this by disrupting the balance of one more hormone. Suppose you are experiencing consistently elevated stress levels. In that case, you need to see a healthcare professional to see if anything can be done to bring your hormones back into alignment. You also want to do so sooner rather than later when you have already subjected your body to the damage described here.