What is the Origin of Emotional Physiology?

This field evolved from early psychosomatic medicine and modern psychoneuroendocrinology, recognizing that the mind and body are an inseparable regulatory unit. It draws on decades of research demonstrating how psychological stress and emotional trauma can alter the HPA axis, thyroid function, and sex hormone balance. The term signifies a move toward quantifying the physical reality of emotional life through real time physiological diagnostics.

What is the Mechanism of Emotional Physiology?

Emotions trigger rapid, cascading changes mediated by the limbic system, particularly the amygdala, which activates the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis and the HPA axis. Fear or anxiety, for example, results in a surge of catecholamines and cortisol, preparing the body for "fight or flight." Sustained negative emotional states perpetuate this hormonal dysregulation, leading to allostatic load and potential long-term endocrine compromise, impacting hormone ratios.

Emotional Physiology ∞ Area

Emotional Physiology

Meaning

Emotional physiology is the scientific study of the measurable, physical manifestations and systemic biological responses that accompany subjective emotional states. This domain examines the intricate, bidirectional communication between the central nervous system, the autonomic nervous system, and the endocrine system, revealing how emotions translate into concrete hormonal, cardiovascular, and neural changes. It provides an objective framework for understanding the somatic impact of psychological experience, crucial for stress management science.