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Cortisol Levels During Fight-or-Flight Responses

Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glad located at the top of the kidneys. Cortisol is also known as hyrdocortisone, a steroid hormone that increases blood sugar, decreases bone formation, metabolizes fat, protein and carbohydrates, and depresses the immune system.

  1. Stress and Cortisol levels

    • When the body is under stress, the hypothalamus sends triggers to the pituitary glad to produce a chemical that is circulated through the blood and picked up by the adrenal glad. Once the adrenal glad picks up the adrenal corticotrophic hormone produced by the pituitary, the adrenal glad produces cortisol.

    Fight or Flight

    • The fight or flight response is our body's way of preparing to fight or flee from a perceived threat. Along with cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline are pumped through the body to heighten the body's awareness.

    Fight or Flight and Cortisol

    • During the fight or flight response, our levels of cortisol are higher. This reaction helps to pump blood to the heart, increase our heart rate and focus and decrease the pain sensation.

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