Excessive cortisol release has been shown to down-regulate serotonin-1a receptors🧠
Dopamine nerve terminals reside in the prefrontal cortex and are ideally kept in check. But stress causes the amygdala and HPA axis to quite the prefrontal cortex by flooding it with dopamine and cortisol, which increases risky and impulsive behavior, and keeps your cortisol elevated. As you might expect, cortisol is the anti-contentment hormone. Contentment means all is well and it’s OK to chill. If the adrenal glands are releasing cortisol, something must be wrong: Stress and cortisol are the mortal enemies of the serotonin-1a receptor, and cause down-regulation throughout most species.
References
- Lustig, H., Robert. The Hacking of the American Mind Chapter 10. Self-Inflicted Misery The Dopamine-Cortisol-Serotonin Connection (Location 1944). New York, NY: Penguin Random House.
Metadata
Type:🔴 Tags: Biology / Neuroscience / Biochemistry / Neurochemistry Status:☀️