Psychology / Unit 9 Psych 1049 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The HPA Axis and Cortisol
Captions available
The idea
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis releases cortisol during stress, mobilizing energy and suppressing non-urgent functions.
In practice
Cortisol rises within minutes of a stressor and stays elevated under chronic stress.
Where people slip
Cortisol's costs come from duration, not from release. The acute response is adaptive.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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