Cortisol Memes

Posts tagged with Cortisol

The Recursive Stress Algorithm

Psychology Academia

1 month ago 4.3K views 0 shares

The Recursive Stress Algorithm

Behold! The recursive stress function in action! What we're witnessing here is basically the neurobiological equivalent of a while(true) loop with no break statement. The human brain, that magnificent 3-pound blob of neurons, has evolved the spectacular ability to not only experience stress but to anticipate and stress about future stress—creating a beautiful cascade of cortisol before the actual stressor even exists! It's like your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis decided to work overtime without even being asked. Efficient? No. Peak college experience? Absolutely.

Your Body Can't Tell Deadlines From Predators

Biology Psychology Academia Science Medicine

1 month ago 18.8K views 0 shares

Your Body Can't Tell Deadlines From Predators

Your body doesn't know the difference between running from a lion and freaking out about a research deadline! The fight-or-flight response kicks in for physical threats AND academic panic alike. Your adrenal glands flood your system with stress hormones (glucocorticoids), your liver dumps glucose into your bloodstream, and your thigh muscles get ready for action—whether you need to sprint away from danger or just sit at your desk hyperventilating over that paper due tomorrow. Evolution gave us this amazing survival mechanism, but didn't quite account for modern stressors. The body's like "DANGER DETECTED! PREPARE FOR BATTLE!" while your brain's going "I just need to format these citations, calm down!"