What is the Origin of Stress Response Attenuation?

This concept is central to stress physiology and psychoneuroendocrinology, where "attenuation" means reducing the intensity or effect of a signal. It recognizes that chronic over-activation of the HPA axis leads to downstream pathology. Clinical focus is placed on restoring normal HPA axis reactivity.

What is the Mechanism of Stress Response Attenuation?

Attenuation strategies frequently involve lifestyle modulation alongside targeted nutritional or sometimes pharmacological support to downregulate CRF and ACTH release. Enhancing vagal tone can also shift the autonomic balance away from sympathetic dominance. Restoring robust negative feedback sensitivity to circulating cortisol is the ultimate goal of this mechanism.

Stress Response Attenuation

Meaning

Stress Response Attenuation describes targeted clinical efforts to reduce the physiological and hormonal impact of chronic or acute stressors on the body’s systems. This involves dampening excessive sympathetic nervous system activation and normalizing the resultant dysregulation of the HPA axis. We aim to lower baseline cortisol exposure and improve the adaptability of the adrenal system to future challenges. Attenuation supports long-term cellular health by reducing allostatic load.