ABSTRACT
The impact of excess cortisol is not linear and can affect people differently depending on the nature of the stressor and previous experience. The degree to which stress feels controllable is also a significant factor in the response; brains love to have control! If a brain has no control, then any efforts to maintain safety are futile. An increase in cortisol levels is an evolutionary indicator of threat. When it occurs, the situation at hand is more likely to be interpreted as dangerous. The amygdala is highly responsive to fear and threat, and has evolved this way to keep us alive in the face of danger. It is the role of the prefrontal cortex to regulate the amygdala. However, as the perception of threat escalates, the prefrontal cortex and its connection to the amygdala changes, leaving less opportunity for influence. As stress levels increase, oxytocin has an interesting role. For many people, oxytocin acts as a natural antidote to stress.
