What neural pathways mediate stress responses?

Your brain relies on specific neural pathways to properly respond to stress. The amygdala detects a threat in an instant, the hypothalamus regulates the SAM and HPA responses, the prefrontal cortex puts emotional reactions in check, the hippocampus provides feedback inhibition, and the vagus nerve governs recovery states.

This amygdala-hypothalamus circuit activates stress responses immediately or within milliseconds. Your amygdala scans the environment for sensory cues that indicate danger. It then warns the hypothalamus within milliseconds. The hypothalamus activates the SAM axis for a quick fight-or-flight response. The HPA axis maintains a sustained response.

Prefrontal Cortex: The brain region that functions to regulate your stress reactions, and takes 25 years to develop fully, allowing you to comprehend the threat and then evaluate it in a more reasoned manner, is the prefrontal cortex. It is temporarily shut down during high stress, resulting in a reversion to more primitive reactions.

"Vagus nerve activation. This cranial nerve sends signals from your brain to your organs. It slows down your heart rate and tells your body to digest food. Activating it directly through deep breathing calms stress responses.

Read the full article: Understanding Stress Physiology: Body Responses