Understanding Stress, Hormones, and Sleep Stages

Valance of Stress

How strong is the stressor?

Eustress

At a good point and responding appropriately.

Distress

Cannot function, memory impaired, burn out.

Effects of stress on hippocampus and why it is so unique

• Regulating stress response in HPA 

• High concentration for glucocorticoid receptors  

• Sensitive to stress  

• It is unique because it can generate new neurons in the hippocampus 

• Reduced HPA negative feedback/ Memory Impairment 

Resiliency to stress

Things that can alter our resiliency include exercise, meditation, and social support.

Gender

Terminology related to sex and gender.

Gender role

The expected behavior and attitudes that a society considers appropriate for men and women.

Gender identity

A person's internal sense of their own gender.

Gender expression

The external display of one's gender, through behavior, clothing, haircut, etc.

Process by which development of internal sex organs happens for male and female: 

When SRY gene becomes active, release of testosterone and further development of Wolffian ducts.

Wolffian ducts and release of Anti- Mullerian hormone shuts down Mullerian ducts   

Androgens  

Anti-Mullerian hormone   

Ducts develop into fallopian tubes and vagina 

Organizational Effects of Hormones

Critical periods - prenatally and sometimes very early post-natally; permanent changes in brain structure.

Activational Effects of Hormones

Transient effects that occur later in life when hormones are present.

Zeitgeber

External or environmental cue that synchronizes a biological rhythm.

Strongest zeitgeber for humans

Light.

Need for sleep

Restoration of physical and mental energy, reduced energy demand, protection from predators, support plasticity for learning, support of growth and development.

Stage 1: NREM

Lightest stage of sleep, slowing heart rate, breathing and eye movements.

Stage 2: NREM

Most of time sleeping, drop in body temp, breathing slows.

Sleep spindle

Increase in activity in sleep, learning and memory is being worked on.

Stage 3,4 NREM

Decreased breathing rate and heart rate, slowed brain waves.

REM sleep

Irregular breathing, increased heart rate, memory consolidation, emotional processing and brain development.