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Adrenal Axis Decoupling

Meaning

Adrenal Axis Decoupling is a functional dissociation within the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, representing a state where the brain’s signaling centers and the adrenal glands’ cortisol production have become misaligned. This condition reflects a loss of the normal, synchronized feedback loop essential for stress adaptation and homeostasis. Clinically, it suggests that the typical regulatory rhythm and amplitude of stress hormone secretion are no longer appropriately integrated. This decoupling often manifests as an altered diurnal cortisol curve, moving away from the healthy peak and trough pattern.