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Self-Preservation

Meaning

Self-Preservation, in a biological and hormonal context, refers to the innate, foundational physiological imperative to maintain systemic homeostasis and ensure survival under conditions of stress or threat. This encompasses the body’s core adaptive mechanisms, including the stress response mediated by the HPA axis, immune surveillance, and metabolic resource prioritization. When chronic stress overwhelms the system, the self-preservation response can become maladaptive, prioritizing immediate survival over long-term health, often leading to hormonal dysregulation. Understanding this primary drive is key to managing allostatic load.