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Stress Response Robustness

Meaning

The physiological and psychological capacity of an individual’s neuroendocrine system, particularly the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, to efficiently initiate, sustain, and appropriately terminate a stress response in the face of acute or chronic challenge. Robustness is characterized by a rapid, proportional cortisol and catecholamine release followed by a swift and complete return to baseline homeostasis once the stressor is removed. A lack of robustness, often seen as a blunted or exaggerated response, indicates HPA axis dysregulation, which compromises metabolic health and long-term longevity.