In today’s modern environment, one is exposed to various stressful conditions such as illness, infection, psychological stress and trauma; in response to those situations, the level of various stress hormones changes. The stress hormone is an umbrella term for hormones released in response to stressful conditions to increase the mobilisation of energy sources and adapt the individual to its new circumstance.
The following are stress hormones in humans; their synthesis, their functions, their related disorders when it is deficient or excessive:
| Synthesis | Functions | When it is deficient | When it is excessive | |
 Cortisol It is widely known as the body’s stress hormone. | It is synthesised in the cytosol of adrenergic neurons and chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. | – Suppression of the immune response – Stimulation of gluconeogenesis – Anti-inflammatory response – Maintenance of vascular responsiveness to catecholamines | – Primary adrenal insufficiency/ Addison disease occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged. Symptoms included extreme fatigue, low blood pressure, body hair loss or sexual dysfunction. – Secondary adrenal insufficiency: It occurs when the pituitary gland does not make enough adrenocorticotropin(ACTH) – Tertiary adrenal insufficiency: It occurs when impaired hypothalamic release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) with resulting decreased production of ACTH by the pituitary | – Cushing syndrome: excessive weight gain ( moon face, buffalo hump, pendulous abdomen), proximal muscle weakness, osteoporosis, thinning of hair |
 Epinephrine | It is synthesised in the cytosol of adrenergic neurons and chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. | – Vasoconstriction in small blood vessels and vasodilation in skeletal muscles and liver – Increase the rate and contractility of the heart – Glycogenolysis | AnxietyMigraine headachesHypoglycemia | – Excessive sweating – High blood pressure – Pale or cold skin |
 Norepinephrine | It is synthesised from dopamine, released from the adrenal medulla. | – Acts on adrenergic receptors – Regulation of vascular smooth muscle of the skin and splanchnic region and the gastrointestinal(GI) and bladder sphincters, and the radial muscle of the iris – Increase the rate, contractility, conduction velocity of the heart. | – Anxiety – Depression – Changes in heart rate – Hypoglycemia | – High blood pressure – Excessive sweating – Lipolysis |
To Sum Up
Stress hormones can elicit biological effects on the whole body, including neural, cardiovascular, autonomic, immune and metabolic systems. When it is excessive or deficient, it will break the homeostasis in those systems in one’s body. Nowadays, in the hectic and fast-paced life today, it is very easy for one to be stressed out for a long term without realising, and in consequence, there may be some negative health impact due to disrupted stress hormone levels.
Therefore, incorporating a healthy lifestyle in daily lives is very important, for example, sleep hygiene, a healthy diet, reducing psychological stress, and avoiding smoking and alcohol and drug abuse. If you are struggling to manage stress or are experiencing signs of chronically high cortisol, don’t hesitate to look to your doctor for help.
Reference:
- Ranabir S, Reetu K. Stress and hormones. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;15(1):18-22. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.77573
- McEwen BS. Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease: Understanding the protective and damaging effects of stress and stress mediators. Eur J Pharmacol. 2008;583(2-3):174-185. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.11.071
- Thau L, Gandhi J, Sharma S. Physiology, Cortisol. 2021 Sep 6. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 30855827.