Endocrine and automatic nervous system

• Often the endocrine and the autonomic nervous system work in parallel with one another for instance during a stressful event
• Often the endocrine and the autonomic nervous system work in parallel with one another for instance during a stressful event
• When a stressor is perceived the first thing that happens is the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
• When a stressor is perceived the first thing that happens is the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
• The ANS changes from its normal resting state (parasympathetic) to the physiologically aroused, sympathetic state
• The stress hormone adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream
• Adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body which creates the physiological arousal necessary for the fight or flight response
• All of this happens in an instant as soon as the threat is detected- an acute response- and an automatic reaction in the body
• once the threat has passed the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body back to its resting state
• once the threat has passed the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body back to its resting state
• The rest and digest response: parasympathetic system acts as a ‘brake’ and reduces the activities of the body that were increased by the actions of the sympathetic branch