The release of these stress hormones causes a variety of physiological events. Some of these we know because we’ve felt them, but others may come as a surprise:
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Heart rate increases to pump more blood to muscles.
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Endorphins are released by the brain to relieve pain
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Digestion slows down so blood can be sent to muscles
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Saliva secretion decreases, producing “cotton mouth”
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Pupils dilate to make our vision more acute
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Hearing, smell, and taste sharpen to identify threats
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Sweating increases to cool the body
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Blood clotting factors are released to slow bleeding
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Sugars and fats are released to increase energy
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Bronchi dilate to get more air into our lungs
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Breathing gets faster to get more oxygen to muscles