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Sympathetic Nervous System

Meaning

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) constitutes the primary division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for mobilizing the body’s resources during acute stress, excitement, or physical exertion—the “fight or flight” response. Activation results in immediate physiological shifts, including increased heart rate, peripheral vasoconstriction, and bronchodilation, preparing the organism for immediate action. Chronic over-activation of the SNS is clinically associated with sustained high cortisol output and systemic inflammation, impacting overall hormonal resilience.