2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-31 14:10
Actually, what does the zebra have to do with it?
Over the past 100 thousand years, the human body has practically not changed, but the conditions of its existence have changed. The modern brain resides in the body of a "caveman", which reacts in the same way as it did many thousands of years ago. Thus, a Neanderthal under stress would either fight or run away. That is why Robert Sapolsky, in his book The Psychology of Stress, refers to the image of a zebra running across the savannah and fleeing a predator. After all, all stress mechanisms are aimed at ensuring this run or struggle. A modern person, experiencing stress, lies desperately on the couch, trying to find a solution to the problem, actively empathizes with the events broadcast from the TV screen, or humbly stands in front of the boss, who reprimands him for his offense. And the whole complex of physiological changes, hormones and other substances taking part in the stress reaction falls on the immobile muscles. Such effects are cumulative, gradually damaging the body. Of course, there are situations in which a person turns on the "correct" response from the point of view of biology to stress. For example, during natural disasters, military actions and other situations that pose a real threat to life and health. But even in these cases, reactions are often poorly adaptive (stupor, panic, etc.).
So what do we know about stress? Thanks to Walter Kennon, the term "stress" was introduced into scientific use back in the 1920s. In his works, the scientist proposed the concept of a universal response "fight or flight" and introduced the concept of homeostasis.
Hans Selye continued and expanded these concepts with the concept of a general adaptation syndrome and proposed to consider the three-phase nature of the stress response, calling it a nonspecific (i.e., universal) adaptive response of the body to environmental stressors.
About ulcer rats and the revision of Hans Selye's concept
In the 1930s. G. Selye worked in the field of endocrinology and conducted laboratory experiments on rats. So, his next experiment was to study the influence of a certain extract from the ovaries, only recently revealed by his colleagues-biochemists, with which he began to inject rats. Everything would be fine if the scientist did it more carefully. However, during the injections, he constantly dropped the rats on the floor, then chased them around the laboratory with a broom. A few months later, he unexpectedly discovered that the rats had developed stomach ulcers and that the adrenal glands were enlarged, while the immune organs had shrunk. Selye was delighted: he managed to discover the influence of this mysterious extract. However, the rats from the control group, which were injected with saline (and which the scientist also systematically dropped on the floor and drove with a broom), to the great surprise of the scientist, similar disorders were also found. Selye began to speculate about what factor common to both groups caused these changes and came to the conclusion that it could be painful injections and rat rats around the laboratory. The scientist continued the experiments, subjecting rats to various kinds of stressful influences (placing unfortunate animals on the roof of a building in winter or in a basement with a boiler room, forcing them to exercise and undergoing surgical operations). In all cases, an increase in the incidence of ulcers, an increase in the adrenal glands and an atrophy of immune tissues were observed. As a result, Hans Selye concluded that all rats experienced stress and showed a similar set of responses to different stressors. He called it a general adaptation syndrome. And if these stressors last too long, it can lead to physical illness.
What exactly was Hans Selye's mistake? According to the scientist's concept, the stress response has three stages: stages of anxiety, resistance and exhaustion. It is at the third stage of depletion that the body falls ill, since the reserves of hormones released at the previous stages of stress are exhausted. We're like an army out of ammunition. But in reality, hormones are not depleted. The army does not run out of ammunition. On the contrary, if we compare the human body with the state, his government (brain) begins to spend too many resources on defense, while neglecting the health care system, social security, education and the economy. Those. it is the stress response that becomes more destructive for the body than the stressor itself.
If we are in a state of constant mobilization, our body will not have time to accumulate energy and resources, and we will start to get tired quickly. Chronic activation of the cardiovascular system can lead to the development of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. And this, in turn, is a fertile ground for the development of obesity and diabetes.
Two elephants on a swing
The familiar and familiar to all of us model of homeostasis found its development in the concept of allostasis or the ability of an organism to maintain stability through changes. In other words, allostasis is associated with the coordination by the brain of changes not in a single organ, but in the whole organism as a whole, including changes in behavior. Moreover, allostatic changes can occur in conditions of expectation of deviations from the norm of any parameters.
There is a somewhat eccentric metaphor or model of stress-related diseases "Two elephants on a swing." If you put two small children on a swing, then it will not be difficult for them to maintain balance. This is a metaphor for allostatic equilibrium (a swing that can be easily held in balance): there is no stress, and children have a low level of stress hormones. But if stress occurs, the level of stress hormones rises sharply, as if we put two large, hulking elephants on a swing. If we try to keep the swing in balance when two elephants are sitting on it, it will take a lot of energy and resources. And what if suddenly one elephant suddenly wants to get off the swing? Thus, elephants (high levels of stress hormones) can restore balance in some aspects, but damage other elements of the system (elephants need to be fed a lot or they can trample and destroy everything around with their sluggishness). Like this metaphor, a prolonged stress response can cause serious and long-term damage to the body.
Fear has big eyes
Stress is caused not by stress factors themselves, but by our attitude towards them. This is why everyone will react differently to the same stressful event. Of course, there are typical variants of stress reactions and many examples of massive mental epidemics and panic conditions under conditions of severe stress. But if we turn to the individual experience of experiencing stress and ways of coping with it, then the individual nature of such reactions is always noticeable. An important role in this is played by the perception of a stressful situation and the attitude towards it in a particular person.
Expectation of stress can become a stressor. Through our imagination, we can" title="Image" />
Fear has big eyes
Stress is caused not by stress factors themselves, but by our attitude towards them. This is why everyone will react differently to the same stressful event. Of course, there are typical variants of stress reactions and many examples of massive mental epidemics and panic conditions under conditions of severe stress. But if we turn to the individual experience of experiencing stress and ways of coping with it, then the individual nature of such reactions is always noticeable. An important role in this is played by the perception of a stressful situation and the attitude towards it in a particular person.
Expectation of stress can become a stressor. Through our imagination, we can
If we “turn on” the stress response too often, or cannot “turn it off” when the stressful event is over, the stress response can become destructive. And here it is important to note the following: it is not stress (or stressors) itself, even chronic or super-strong, that leads to the development of the disease. Stress only increases the risk of developing or worsening pre-existing disorders.
The brain is the main gland of a person
The sympathetic nervous system plays a key role in the stress response. It is thanks to her that the body is activated and mobilized under stress (acceleration of the heartbeat, increased blood flow to the muscles, the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine, suppression of digestion, etc.). An important role in this is played by changes in the hormonal sphere (an increase in the secretion of some hormones and a decrease in others). But where did the peripheral glands come from?" title="Image" />
The brain is the main gland of a person
The sympathetic nervous system plays a key role in the stress response. It is thanks to her that the body is activated and mobilized under stress (acceleration of the heartbeat, increased blood flow to the muscles, the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine, suppression of digestion, etc.). An important role in this is played by changes in the hormonal sphere (an increase in the secretion of some hormones and a decrease in others). But where did the peripheral glands come from?
There are two hormones vital to the stress response - adrenaline and norepinephrine. They are produced by the sympathetic nervous system. In addition, glucocorticoids, which are produced by the adrenal glands, play an important role. Under stress, adrenaline begins to act within a few seconds, and glucocorticoids maintain its effect for several minutes, and sometimes hours. Also, during stress, the pancreas begins to produce glucagon, which, together with glucocorticoids, increases blood glucose levels (muscles need energy to "fight or flee"). The pituitary gland also produces prolactin, which inhibits reproductive functions (during stress, not before sex and procreation), as well as endorphins and enkephalins, which dull pain (which is why a soldier in the midst of a battle may not notice a serious injury for a long time).
In addition, the pituitary gland produces vasopressin, which plays an important role in the cardiovascular response to stress. The hormones of the reproductive system (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) are suppressed, as well as the growth hormone somatotropin and insulin, which helps the body accumulate energy under normal conditions.
In other words, when you are fleeing a predator in the savannah, you will definitely not have thoughts of a delicious dinner or procreation. And it is unlikely that your body will have time for renewal and growth.
Assets in bank account
Our body accumulates nutrients in the form" title="Image" />
Assets in bank account
Our body accumulates nutrients in the form
Why are we sick? We "pay a fine" for withdrawing assets from the deposit. Let's consider the example of diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of its own insulin. Glucose and fatty acids circulating in the blood turn into "homeless" or atherosclerotic plaques. Insulin requirements begin to rise, making it harder to control. The development of diabetes and its complications is accelerating. In the case of type 2 diabetes, there is a tendency to be overweight. Fat cells are less sensitive to insulin - "there are no vacant rooms in the hotel." The fat cells are swollen. Glucose and fatty acids continue to circulate in the blood. The pancreas begins to produce more and more insulin and its cells gradually begin to break down. This explains the transition from type 2 diabetes to type 1 diabetes.
"Attack or run" or "care and support"?
Recent studies have shown that the attack-or-flight stress response is more common in men, whereas women often have a different take-care-and-support mechanism. Females take care of their offspring and establish social bonds. This is due to the production of oxytocin in females during stress, which is responsible for the maternal instinct and monogamous bond with the male. Thus, the response to stress may not only be preparation for a grueling fight or flight, but also a desire to communicate and seek social support. And, of course, gender differences are not so severe: women can also have a "attack or run" pattern, and men - a search for coalition and social support.
To be continued…
Cit. based on the book "The Psychology of Stress" by Robert Sapolsky, 2020
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