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Stress Hormones

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Last updated date: 22nd Mar 2024
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Stress hormones in humans are secretions that occur under any stressful circumstance. They result in reactions from anxiety, and are known as ‘fight or flight’ response. In plants, they help in combating adverse environmental conditions. 


When you are planning to crack NEET in the first attempt, you should read vital Biology concepts, such as plant physiology, reproduction and genetics, etc. Therefore, try understanding what hormone is released when a person is stressed carefully to score well.


Also, do not get anxious while reading complex topics. Simply go through these guidelines below and get to know details regarding this topic.


Types of Hormone Creating Stress

Stressful secretions are present in both plants and humans. In plants, abscisic acid, also known as ABA, is accountable for plant responses when they experience any traumatic situation. They are stimulators of a plant’s growth. Notably, the production of this hormone results from environmental pressures. 


Besides, the abscisic acid facilitates the stomata to close when it faces high salinity and water pressure. It helps in the storage of proteins and aids bio-synthesis of lipids, etc.


However, in human beings, stress hormones are of three types, such as adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol. Adrenaline is popularly known as the fight or flight hormone, secreted from adrenaline glands. It gets realised when the brain sends an impulse to the glands under a traumatic condition. 


Norepinephrine is a hormonal secretion released from the brain and adrenaline glands, similar to that of adrenaline. Noradrenaline and adrenaline are responsible for generating quick responses during a challenging situation.


Cortisol is a steroid hormone having a direct relation with fluctuations in the stress levels in a human body. Similar to other stressful secretions, one can feel the effects of cortisol within seconds in an emergency.


Effects of Stressful Secretions

Normal cortisol levels regulate blood pressure and sugar in a person. But an increase in the levels of hormones causing stress can have some adverse effects on the body at times. These include:

  • Overweight or obesity 

  • Headaches

  • Depression

  • Irregular ovulation or menstrual cycle in women and erectile dysfunction in men.

  • Mood swings


Ways in Reducing Hormones Causing Stress

Cortisol mainly has a direct connection with the stress levels in a human frame. It is also responsible for affecting other factors, such as high blood pressure and inflammation, etc. But too much cortisol in a person can increase your stress levels largely and can worsen your immune system along with weight gain.


However, there are quite a few ways of controlling stress hormones originating in a body. Read the pointers below to know more:

  1. It is known that getting the right amount of sleep can help in reducing the hormones which cause stress. Change in the sleep patterns or insufficient amount of slumber can disturb the level of hormones and gives rise to increased cortisol levels.

  2. Doing exercises in the right proportion enables us to lower your cortisol amount. Extreme exercise can be beneficial in quickly reducing the level of cortisol after work-out. However, it increases later on within a very short time. Therefore, you need to work-out in a right manner leaving your body refreshed to reduce your hormones, causing stress.

  3. To keep stress level low, one should keep unnecessary thoughts at bay. A positive approach to thinking enables a person to remain calm and reduces stressful secretions. Therefore, try to train your mind to be aware of your feelings and emotions and divert your thoughts when they tend to create panic within your mind.

  4. Also, you should maintain a healthy diet. Eating foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial for reducing stress levels in a human. Therefore, one should have a diet that can effectively reduce hormonal secretions which causes stress. Foods like dark chocolates, fruits, green tea, and nuts can lower stress-producing hormones.

  5. Moreover, focus on your mental health every day to lower your stress levels. Practising yoga and meditation can help reduce stressful conditions. You can also take care of your mind by going for a long walk or listen to musical tunes.

Fun Fact : Ashwagandha is a proven Asian herbal substance effective for reducing anxiety in an individual!


Give Your Best to Crack NEET in a Single Attempt!


If you are preparing for a National level entrance exam, it is essential to understand the concepts of Biology, such as stress hormones. We hope you have understood what it implies from the above conversation.


Besides, try to keep yourself steady while studying for NEET exams. Since there are multiple complex chapters, you should not get anxious. Instead, study more about hormonal stress theory along with other chapters to score good grades from the Biology section. 


Also, take care of your health, drink plenty of water and prevent yourself from falling ill while studying for long hours!

Best Wishes.

FAQs on Stress Hormones

1. What is the Stress Hormone in Plants Known as?

Ans. Abscisic acid is one of the common stress hormones released in plants. It is responsible for causing plant reactions against stressful conditions. Also, it stimulates growth in plants and enables maintenance of normal physical situations.  

2. How can one Reduce Hormones Responsible for Stress?

Ans. Hormones released during stress can be controlled in a human body if you take care of your body and mind. Sleeping on time and meditation can work wonders in lowering the stress level. Also, focus on consuming a balanced diet along with following a relaxation technique.

3. What foods can Help in Reducing Hormones Responsible for Stress?

Ans. Apart from meditation and yoga, there are specific foods which help in reducing stress hormones in a human body. Fatty fish like salmon and nuts or seeds like flaxseeds, almonds and walnuts containing high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids can be helpful to slash down the stress levels. They also help in reducing depression, heart diseases, etc.

4. What are the Common Symptoms of High Cortisol Levels?

Ans. Adrenal glands release the stress hormone cortisol, and it helps in combating stressful conditions of a body. However, higher levels of cortisol can be more dangerous. Its symptoms include high blood pressure, osteoporosis, frequent urination, mood swings, etc.