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Stress Response System

Meaning

The Stress Response System is a comprehensive, interconnected physiological network designed to maintain allostatic balance by coordinating the body’s reaction to actual or perceived threats. It primarily comprises the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS), which together regulate the release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines. The proper functioning of this system is essential for survival, but chronic activation can lead to hormonal dysregulation and increased allostatic load.