COMING SOON: Science Series

We'll be featuring a new series on this blog where we explore the neurobiology of trauma and PTSD. Mental health treatment outcomes can be significantly improved if we bridge the gap between a scientific understanding of the neural anatomy and neurochemical processes of trauma and the development and application of specific treatment modalities.

Before we dive in, however, let's start with a basic understanding of how the brain responds to stress.

Next, let's take a look at the anatomy regulating the brain's stress response.

Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/stress-response-anatomical-scheme-nervous-humoral-2201235169

When our cortex identifies a stressor in the environment, it tells our pituitary gland to release a hormone that binds to the adrenal glands. If that name sounds familiar, this is because the adrenal glands regulate both adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol. Both of these are hormones that prepare the body so that it is ready to respond quickly to a perceived threat in the environment. Many parts of our bodies have receptors that bind to adrenaline and cortisol ("stress hormones"). The picture above, explains how each body part is affected.

This is an oversimplified explanation, but it provides a general understanding of how and why our brains and bodies react to stress.

Every 2-3 weeks, we'll post a new topic that explores the neurobiology of trauma.