Hormones - shocking truth about these chemical messengers

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Hey there, fellow human! Let's talk about hormones. No, not the ones you see in those complicated biology textbooks, but the ones that affect us on a daily basis. We're talking about the hormones that are released when we're stressed, punished, happy, or doing some exercise. Yep, those little guys have a huge impact on our mood, behaviour, and overall wellbeing. So, let's break it down and see what's really going on in our bodies when it comes to these different types of hormones.

When it comes to stress, there is one hormone that really takes the spotlight: cortisol. This little messenger is produced by our adrenal glands and is often referred to as the "stress hormone." When we are feeling under pressure, whether it's from work, relationships, or just the general chaos of life, our bodies kick into high gear and start pumping out cortisol like crazy. This hormone helps us deal with the immediate threat by boosting our energy levels, sharpening our focus, and even suppressing non-essential functions like digestion and reproduction. It's basically our body's way of saying, "Hey, we've got a situation here and we need to focus on getting through it!"

But here's the thing - while cortisol can be super helpful in the short term, chronic stress can lead to consistently elevated levels of this hormone, which can have some pretty gnarly effects on our bodies and minds. Things like weight gain, sleep disturbances, impaired immune function, and even cognitive decline can all be linked back to prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol. So, while it is great to have a burst of this hormone when we need to fight or flee from a threat, we definitely don't want it hanging around for too long.

On the flip side, when we are feeling happy doing a workout or just crushing it at work, another group of hormones comes into play - endorphins. These little guys are often referred to as the "feel-good hormones" and for good reason. When we engage in activities that we enjoy, like running, lifting weights, or even just rocking out to our favorite music, our bodies release endorphins as a way to reward us for our efforts. These hormones interact with the receptors in our brain to reduce our perception of pain and boost feelings of pleasure and well-being. That's why so many of us experience a "runner's high" after a killer workout or feel totally on top of the world after acing a big project at work.

But the fun doesn't stop there - endorphins aren't the only players in the game. When we're getting our sweat on, our bodies also release another hormone called dopamine. This little guy is all about motivation and reward, and it's often referred to as the "reward hormone." It helps us stay focused and driven by reinforcing the behaviors that make us feel good, whether that's hitting a new personal best in the gym or reaching a major milestone in our work. In a way, dopamine is like our own personal cheerleader, urging us on to keep pushing ourselves and reaping those sweet rewards.

So, what's the deal with punishment and hormones? Well, when we're feeling down, anxious, or like we're being punished in some way, our bodies release yet another hormone called adrenaline. You might have heard of this one, especially in the context of the "fight or flight" response. Adrenaline is like our body's built-in alarm system, getting us ready to face a threat or escape from it. It ramps up our heart rate, elevates our blood pressure, and increases our respiration so that we can deal with whatever scary situation we might be facing. This hormone is the reason why we might feel jittery, edgy, or even panicked when we're feeling threatened, whether it's from an external source or just our own negative thoughts.

So, there you have it - a crash course in hormones and how they can influence our experiences of stress, punishment, and happiness. Our bodies are pretty amazing, aren't they? They've got all these little chemical messengers working behind the scenes to help us navigate through the ups and downs of life. It's pretty wild to think about how these tiny molecules can have such a big impact on how we feel and behave. So, the next time you're feeling stressed out, working up a sweat, or facing a tough situation, just remember that your hormones are there, doing their thing to help you out. And hey, maybe it's worth giving them a little shout out for all their hard work! My humble suggestions 😄

References

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormone
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hormones-and-the-endocrine-system
• https://www.britannica.com/science/hormone
• https://medlineplus.gov/hormones.html
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormones
• https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/hormones.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538498/
• https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hormonal-endocrine-system