Hormone pathway: stress

• Cortisol - helps manage stress by increasing energy availability
• Stimulus: stress or low blood cortisol levels
• Hypothalamus: releases corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)
• Pituitary gland: CRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
• Adrenal Gland: ACTH prompts the adrenal cortex to produce and release cortisol
• Cortisol levels rise in the bloodstream 
• Response: high cortisol levels inhibit the release of CRH and ACTH. This reduces stimulation of the adrenal cortex
• Feedback: maintains optimal cortisol levels to regulate metabolism, immune response and stress adaptation