Which hormone floods the body during chronic psychological stress, suppressing immune function long term?
Answer
Cortisol
Chronic psychological stress leads to the sustained release of hormones, prominently cortisol, into the body. While cortisol offers temporary benefits during acute stress situations, its prolonged presence results in the suppression of overall immune function. This long-term elevation reduces the effectiveness of both the rapid, generalized innate responses and the targeted mechanisms of the adaptive system. Maintaining consistent routines and effective stress management is necessary because sustained high levels of cortisol directly interfere with the body's ability to maintain optimal operational readiness against pathogens.
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