The Core Function of Adrenal Medulla Hormones in Stress Physiology The hormones of the adrenal medulla, primarily epinephrine and norepinephrine, are fundamental to the body’s acute stress response. When the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated by sudden stress, the adrenal medulla rapidly secretes these catecholamines, resulting in an immediate, short-term adaptation known as the “fight-or-flight” response. This reaction is distinctly different from hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex, such as cortisol, which is produced for more sustained stress adaptation. The interplay of adrenal medulla hormones and the HPA axis ensures a precisely regulated physiological response to internal and external stressors, affecting multiple body types and contributing to varied symptoms across individuals. For a medical overview of these processes, see the Endocrine Society . Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, increases heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood flow to muscles, w...
Daily health and wellness is built on five core habits: drinking enough water, moving your body, eating whole foods, getting good sleep, and managing stress