The HPA Axis: Your Body’s Stress Control Center
Our body’s stress response revolves around a network of hormone-producing glands called the HPA axis, which stands for the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. When we face physical or mental stress, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands release hormones that stimulate the adrenal glands. These adrenal glands then produce stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which create a feedback loop to regulate the stress response.