Stressor

A stressor is a chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, an external stimulus or an event that causes stress to an organism. An event that triggers the stress response may include for example:

• environmental stressors (elevated sound levels, over-illumination, overcrowding)
• daily stress events (e.g. traffic, lost keys)
• life changes (e.g. divorce, bereavement)
• workplace stressors (e.g. role strain, lack of control)
• physical stressors (e.g. tobacco, alcohol, drugs)

Stressors have a chemical reaction inside of the body. A harmful stressor is detected by the brain, and from which a elemental decision patter occurs. Initially, the stressor is detected and then transferred to hypothalamus. Then a flow follows of the following steps: crf (conticotrophin release factor) -> pituitary gland releases “acth” (adrenocorticotropic hormone) ->adrenal cortex secretes various stress hormones (e.g. cortisol) ->stress hormones (30 varieties) travel inblood stream to relevant organs e.g. glands, heart, intestines. ->flight or fight response. Between this flow there is an alternate path that can be taken after hypothalamus leading to sympathetic nervous system. After which, the adrenal mudulla secretes epinephrine.