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Film summary
The hormone cortisol works with our ancient "fight or flight" mechanism to manage stress. But in the modern world, cortisol could be damaging our bodies.Key facts
- Cortisol, the stress hormone, induces anxiety and fear and releases epinephrine in the body when we are under pressure.
- Cortisol release is part of the body's automatic fight or flight response to predators and danger.
- In modern life this response is triggered by different pressures, e.g. traffic jams or deadlines.
- Long-term, high levels of cortisol in the blood can lead to chronic stress and anxiety.
Transcript
Our bodies have an inbuilt reaction to stress that is meant to protect us.
It enabled our ancestors to fight or run from a predator at an instant's notice.
Our response to acute stress was fundamental to our survival.
But now there is a mismatch. Modern life is full of very …
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