Stress

In this modern age, we are constantly under stress. This comes not only from career deadlines, family pressures, and financial obligations, but from anything that disrupts our body’s natural state of balance. Here are some tips to counteract the stresses that we face.

CONTENTS [HIDE]

• The Two Major Stress Response Systems
• Lifestyle Strategies to Lower Your Stress Response
• Foods to Lower Your Stress Response
• Supplements to Lower Your Stress Response
• GABA Promoting Supplements That Lower Your Stress Response
• Hormones That Lower Your Stress Response
• Devices to Lower Your Stress Response

The Two Major Stress Response Systems

There are two major systems in the body that mediate the “stress response.”  Both originate from the hypothalamus.

One is called the Hypothalamus-Pituitary and Adrenal (HPA) axis.

These three glands release the following hormones: CRH (Hypothalamus)->ACTH (Pituitary)->Cortisol (Adrenal).

The other stress pathway is the sympathomedullary system, where signals are sent to the adrenals to release adrenaline and norepinephrine.

The HPA axis deals with longer term stressors, while the sympathomedullary system deals with more acute stressors.

Probably the best single measure of your stress response is your blood levels of cortisol.

Lifestyle Strategies to Lower Your Stress Response

1. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (R)
2. Positive social encounters (R)
3. Laughing/being happy (R)
4. Spending time in nature (R) 
5. Diaphragmatic breathing (R)
6. Meditation (R, R2)
7. Yoga (R, R2)
8. Being physically active – Lowers cortisol in longer term (R).
9. Regular dancing (R)
10. Massage therapy (R)
11. Music therapy (R)
12. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) (R)
13. Napping after sleep loss (R)
14. Glucose restriction/fasting (Be careful) (R)
15. Chewing – Lowers CRH (R).

Foods to Lower Your Stress Response

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (R)
2. Salmon and other fatty (High Omega 3) fish (R)
3. Turmeric (R)
4. Green tea/L-Theanine (R)
5. Dark Chocolate (R) 

Supplements to Lower Your Stress Response

Some of these are in animal studies.

1. Curcumin (R)
2. Fish Oil/DHA  (R, R2)
3. Rhodiola/Salidroside (R)
4. Magnesium (R, R2, R3, R4)
5. Zinc (R)
6. Selenium (R)
7. Probiotics  (R)
8. Black Cumin Seed Oil (R)
9. Lysine (R)
10. Vitamin C (R)
11. St John’s Wort (R)
12. Oxytocin (R)
13. Phosphatidylserine (R)
14. Aromatherapy (orange essential oil) (R)
15. Schisandra – Lowers cortisol (R).
16. Holy Basil/Tulsi – (in rats) (R) 
17. Tribulus – Lowers CRH and cortisol (R).
18. Ginseng – Blocks ACTH (R). Especially for chronic stress (R).
19. Cordyceps – Reduces stress markers (in rats) (R).
20. Ginkgo – Especially for acute stress (R).
21. Apigenin – (in cellular models) (R, R2)

GABA Promoting Supplements That Lower Your Stress Response

GABAergics inhibit the HPA axis. This includes GABAb (R, R2) or GABAa (R, R2).

GABA Promoting Supplements include:

1. Butyrate (R)
2. Ketogenic diets (R) – In ketosis, less glutamate is metabolized and more is made into GABA (R). Contradictory (R).
3. Honokiol (from Magnolia) (R)
4. Theanine (R)
5. Hops (R)
6. Chinese Skullcap (R)
7. Kava (R)
8. Valerian (R)
9. Taurine (high dosage) (R)
10. Ashwagandha (weak) (R)
11. Bacopa (weak) (R)

Hormones That Lower Your Stress Response

1. Progesterone (R)
2. GHRH (in men, but not women) (R)

Devices to Lower Your Stress Response

1. PEMF  – depends on device used (R)
2. tDCS (Transcranial direct current stimulation) (R)
3. TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) – CRH production and release (R, R2)
4. Electroacupuncture – Decreased CRH in a rat model of IBS (R).

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