Stress is a reaction that everyone has experienced at some point in their lifetime. Whether it is due to the demands of schoolwork, an important interview, important presentation, etc. Stress can be induced through a variety of outlets and can cause a variety of symptoms, from increased heart rate to an increased appetite. We owe a large part of our body’s stress response to the hormone Cortisol, otherwise known as the “stress hormone”. Cortisol is a significant stress hormone and is responsible for many of our body’s stress responses.
Dr. Weinberg examined the neural responses that are caused by acute stress, and in addition, observed any possible relationship between stress and reward-processing. To achieve this, the researchers conducted a study where about participants were divided into both control and stress groups, and from there both groups were required to complete a variety of tasks: the door task, the flanker task, and the MIST task. The difference between the stress and the control groups was that an observer stayed with the stress group for the entire duration of the MIST task, while the observer only stayed for a short period of time in the control condition. This was how they were able to cause differing levels of stress between the two groups. The authors used salivary samples to record cortisol levels, while the EEG was incorporated to measure the reward processing. Based on their results, the researchers discovered that the stress group displayed higher levels of cortisol than the control group and that their cortisol levels lasted longer as well. In addition, they noted that stress affects reward-processing behavior by reducing it. An important takeaway from this study is the evidence that cortisol plays a large role in stress responses.
As mentioned previously, cortisol is the primary hormone that is involved in stress and more specifically stress responses, and we can clearly see that through the study conducted by Weinberg et. al (2020) as cortisol levels were higher in those experiencing stress compared to the control group. When it comes down to stress responses, we know that cortisol is responsible for inducing our stress responses, but what about its effects on our skin? An article published by The New York Times titled “This Is Your Skin On Stress” highlights the effects of stress on our skin, and more importantly, the role that cortisol plays in it. The article emphasizes that it is ultimately cortisol's effect on the skin barrier that causes stress-induced blemishes. Our skin barrier is responsible for the maintenance of moisture and the protection against harmful bacteria, and it requires oil, water, and microbiome in order to be sustained. What cortisol does is diminish these three things, harming the skin barrier. In terms of oil, cortisol depletes the production of beneficial oils while simultaneously stimulating the overproduction of sebum, an oil known for causing acne formation. With the changes in oil production, arises the microbiome producing more harmful bacteria as well. Finally, with the changes in the microbiome comes the possibility of free-radical production, and if dehydration could arise if the free-radicals were to attack lipids. Clearly, cortisol causes a domino-effect, from first affecting oil production, to eventually water levels in the skin barrier. A recommended method to combat these effects is not impossible, through activating a relaxed response to stress triggers, we can stimulate the parasympathetic system and reduce cortisol levels and protect your skin from the harmful effects of stress.
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