Fight or Flight & Cortisol Levels
The fight or flight response is the body's automatic reaction to perceived danger or stress, activating the sympathetic nervous system to prepare for immediate action.
During this response, the adrenal glands release several hormones, including cortisol, which plays a crucial role in managing the body's energy and alertness.
Cortisol increases glucose availability in the bloodstream, enhances brain function, and suppresses non-essential bodily processes to prioritize survival- means it will shut something down to focus on a more important function.
This hormonal surge enables quick physical and mental responses to threats. While short-term increases in cortisol are essential for effective fight or flight reactions, prolonged elevation due to chronic stress can negatively impact health, affecting immune function, metabolism, and emotional well-being.
How does cortisol impact skin?
Elevated cortisol levels, especially during periods of chronic stress (life happens, we cannot always predict when these situations will occur), can have noticeable effects on the skin.
High cortisol can increase oil production, leading to clogged pores and acne breakouts. It may also weaken the skin’s barrier function, making it more prone to irritation, dryness, and inflammation. Over time, persistent high cortisol can contribute to premature aging, reduced skin healing, and flare-ups of conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Thus, chronic stress and persistently high cortisol levels can set off a chain reaction that ultimately results in hormonal imbalance and skin problems like acne.
I'm not saying that avoiding stressful situations will clear up your skin, but if you're experiencing persistent flares and breakouts, take a look at your lifestyle as a holistic viewpoint.
What is going on in your life?
How is your diet?
How is your sleep?
How is your relationship with people contributing to the stress/or not?
What products are you using?
etc.
At the end of the day, the only way to truly achieve wellness and good skin integrity is to see yourself as a whole and not just one or 2 things. Balance means balance, if one thing is out of whack...well....it becomes a cyclitic circus.
Here's some reading:
Brain- Skin connection: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4082169/
