Cortisol
A hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, regulated by the HPA axis. Short-term cortisol spikes are adaptive, but chronic elevation damages hippocampal neurons and impairs memory and immune function.
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Related Terms
HPA Axis
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the body's central ...
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The cumulative wear and tear on the body caused by chronic s...
Fight-or-Flight Response
The body's acute stress response, activating the sympathetic...
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Changes in how genes are expressed caused by experience or e...