The Chemistry of Performance Stress

Composition of ...

• The stressor
• The Informational Processing and Perception of the Stressor
• The Stress Response and Its Effect on Our System

Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

The Stressor

Anything that causes stress. EX: Finals, sports, or life.

The Informational Processing and Perception of the Stressor

The Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA) is activated

The HPA is responsible for giving you “butterflies” in your stomach

The Stress Response and Its Effect on Our System

The HPA releases steroid hormones (glucocorticoids) including the primary stress hormone cortisol

Cortisol is important in organizing systems throughout the body to deal with stress

The HPA also releases certain neurotransmitters called catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine)

Catecholamines activate an area inside the brain called the amygdala, which triggers an emotional response to stress situations

The brain releases neuropeptide S which is a small protein that modulates stress by decreasing sleep and increasing alertness

When under stress catecholamines suppress activity in the brain related with short-term memory, concentration, inhibition, and rational thought

This sequence of mental events allows a person to react quickly

During the same time neurotransmitters signal the hippocampus to store stressful moment in long-term memory

Effects on the heart, lungs, and cirulation

Heart rate and blood pressure increases

Breathing becomes rapid and lungs take in more oxygen

Spleen discharges red and white blood cells allowing blood to move more oxygen around the body

Effects in the mouth and throat

Fluids are diverted from mouth and throat

Causes dryness and difficulty talking

Stress can cause spasms of the throat muscles making it difficult to swallow

Metabolic response to stress

Stress shuts down digestive activity

Chemistry's Role

Chemicals are released throughout body causing the body to react the way it does.

Background Research

When the body is put under stress the part of the brain called “hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal” or HPA is activated. The HPA releases steroid hormones including the primary stress hormone cortisol. The HPA also releases neurotransmitters called amygdala. The brain also releases neuropeptide a small protein that modulates stress by decreasing sleep and increasing alertness and a sense of anxiety. When a person is put under stress catecholamines contribute to short term memory loss. Although at the same time neurotransmitters signal the hippocampus to store the event in the long term memory part of the brain. The stress response is triggered when the adrenals glands, located on top of the kidneys, receive distress messages from the brain. Once the distress messages are received the adrenals release adrenalin and cortisol, two hormones that cause “fight or flight.” Also a chemical called serotonin acts as a buffer against stress allowing the person to perform in challenging situations. In women, their serotonin levels are much lower. They have only 25% of serotonin that men have. Due to the lower amount of serotonin women tend to have more stress in their lives than men do. Some stress is healthy and a necessity in life. When under stress the body releases norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that is needed to create new memories. Stress may seem like one of the worst things to have to deal with but in reality it keeps us healthy.

Resources

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/stress-and-anxiety/the-body's-response.html

HPA

HPA releases neurotransmitters

http://www.wholehealthchicago.com/4590/the-chemistry-of-stress/

Stress triggers adrenals

Adrenals release adrenalin and cortisol

http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/stress.html

Body releases norepinephrine

Norepinephrine creates new memories

http://www.teachhealth.com/chemmess.html

Everyone inherits certain ability to cope with stress

Under stress you lose sleep, have aches and pains, and lack of enjoyment of life

http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/fall-2010/the-physiology-of-stress-cortisol-and-the-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis#.UzOo6_ldWSo

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone synthesized from cholesterol by enzymes of the cytochrome

Cortisol weakens the immune response

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml

3 types of stress

Routine stress, stress brought about by a sudden negative change, traumatic stress

http://www.fundamentalfield.com/2010/06/3-components-of-stress/

Informational processing and perception of the stressor

Stress response and its effect on our system

About the Author