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Sympathetic Nervous System

Meaning

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is one of the two main branches of the autonomic nervous system, primarily responsible for mobilizing the body’s resources in response to perceived stress or danger, often summarized as the “fight-or-flight” response. This system initiates rapid, widespread physiological changes, including increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and diversion of blood flow to skeletal muscles. Chronic activation of the SNS due to persistent stress can lead to dysregulation of the HPA axis and long-term hormonal imbalances.