NEW335H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Natural Killer Cell, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Interleukin 10
Document Summary
New335_lecture 3 - meditation, stress and the immune system - may 16. Dictionary definition: feeling of tension due to demanding circumstances. Academic definition: a shift in the equilibrium of a system from its normal, preferred operating conditions. Any severe imbalance in temperature may cause stress, less cognitive functioning. *acute stress (a short stressful episode lasting minutes to hours) activates two major systems: sympathetic nervous system (sns): secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (hpa) axis: Stress induces release of several other glucocorticoids, cortisol is just the "big one". Negative feedback involves several brain regions such as the hippocampus. Chronic stress (repeated and prolonged stressful episodes) elicits different responses. Stress that lasts more than several hours per day for more than a few weeks. One major effect of chronic stress is a suppression of the immune system ( immunosuppression ) Stress results from both real and perceived threats. Both physical and psychosocial events may be stressors.
