What is the Origin of Longevity and Stress?

This concept integrates geroscience, stress physiology, and psychoneuroendocrinology, recognizing stress as a major modulator of the aging process. The understanding evolved from simple wear-and-tear theories to recognizing the specific molecular and hormonal mechanisms linking stress to cellular damage.

What is the Mechanism of Longevity and Stress?

The primary mechanism involves the chronic activation of the HPA axis, leading to prolonged glucocorticoid exposure, which can suppress immune function and impair DNA repair. Uncontrolled stress also depletes NAD+ and activates the NF-κB pathway, driving a state of inflammaging. Effective longevity strategies focus on enhancing stress resilience to maintain allostatic load within an adaptive range, thereby protecting critical cellular structures.

Longevity and Stress ∞ Area

Longevity and Stress

Meaning

The scientific examination of the bidirectional relationship between an organism’s capacity for long-term survival and healthspan, and its systemic response to acute and chronic psychological or physiological stress. Chronic, maladaptive stress accelerates biological aging by disrupting telomere maintenance and promoting chronic inflammation. Conversely, acute, controlled stress, known as hormesis, can activate pro-longevity pathways.