What is the Origin of Resilience Hormones?

This term is a functional classification derived from stress endocrinology and psychoneuroimmunology, grouping hormones based on their collective role in promoting "resilience"—the capacity to recover from difficulty. It moves beyond the individual hormone names to describe their integrated, systemic function in maintaining adaptability. The concept emphasizes the dynamic, protective role of the endocrine system.

What is the Mechanism of Resilience Hormones?

Glucocorticoids, like cortisol, rapidly mobilize energy resources and modulate immune responses to cope with acute stress. Concurrently, hormones such as DHEA act as counter-regulatory agents, helping to buffer the catabolic effects of chronic stress. Thyroid hormones maintain basal metabolic rate and cellular energy production, providing the energetic foundation necessary for a robust adaptive response. The integrated action of these hormones determines the body's overall stress-coping capacity.

Resilience Hormones ∞ Area

Resilience Hormones

Meaning

A conceptual category of endogenous signaling molecules, primarily steroid and peptide hormones, that play a critical role in mediating the body’s adaptive response to physical, emotional, and metabolic stressors. These hormones, which include glucocorticoids, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and thyroid hormones, are essential for maintaining physiological stability and rapidly returning the system to homeostasis after a perturbation. Their balanced function is key to stress tolerance and long-term health.