Our bodies have a built-in response when faced with a threat. This served our ancestors well, as it gave them the speed, clarity of mind, and strength to move fast and deal with the situation. While we no longer often have to face the threat of a dangerous animal for our survival, this response to a threatening situation remains, though the threat is often no longer a physical one. However, facing the ongoing, perceived threats of the modern world can take a toll on our mental health, with many people suffering from anxiety and depression. To understand how this happens, we need to explore the role of adrenal glands in mental health.
The Role of The Adrenal Glands
Situated on top of each of your kidneys, the adrenal glands play an important role in your body’s response to stress, via the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response. Governed by the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis which sends out chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, the NEM stress response is responsible for inciting a range of activities throughout the body that affect all organs and processes. Many hormones act as neurotransmitters.
The adrenal glands respond to stress by increasing their hormone production, particularly cortisol, which helps your entire body ready itself to either fight or run away from the threat. It also boosts your brain function. You think more clearly and can focus more sharply on the situation at hand.
However, this heightened, emergency state can’t continue long-term. If it does, various health problems can develop in the body, including mental health issues.
How The Adrenal Glands Function
The adrenals form part of the body’s endocrine system. Many of the hormones they release function as neurotransmitters. These hormones are carried to tissues and organs throughout the body. Adrenal hormones also interact with the brain to regulate various bodily functions.
The adrenal glands consist of two parts.
- The cortex makes up the outer part. It releases cortisol and androgens, i.e., male sex hormones. These hormones play a key role in the immune system and metabolism control.
- The medulla makes up the inner part of the adrenal glands. This part releases hormones that control your body’s response to stress.
Amongst the functions carried out by the hormones released by the adrenal glands are regulation of blood pressure, immune function, metabolism, and stress response.
These are some of the hormones produced in the adrenal glands:
Cortisol
This is a steroid hormone that plays a role in numerous body functions. Also called the stress hormone, it plays a key role in your body’s NEM stress response. It affects blood pressure regulation, the body’s response to inflammation, the release of insulin, and the metabolism of glucose.
Norepinephrine and Epinephrine
Your adrenal glands release these two hormones in response to stress. They give you an adrenaline rush when you face an unexpected stressful situation.
An increase in norepinephrine production will help to increase your alertness and attention. It also increases your blood pressure levels.3
An increase in epinephrine levels causes many body changes during sudden times of stress. These changes include:
- Increased blood flow and oxygen to the muscles1
- Converts glycogen in the liver into glucose so your body has more energy for the fight or flight response
- Increases heart rate and blood pressure rate
- Makes skin turn pale due to the diversion of blood to the muscles
- Dilates your pupils to increase light exposure
- Relaxes airway muscles to allow greater oxygen flow to the blood
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
One of the most abundant hormones in your body, DHEA is a precursor hormone associated with the production of male and female sex hormones, i.e., androgens and estrogens. DHEA plays a key role in:
- Neuroprotection
- Cognitive function
- Memory
- Bone metabolism
- Cellular immunity
- Insulin sensitivity
- Blood flow
- Inflammation reduction
- Endothelial function
- Serotonin levels
Aldosterone
This hormone plays a role in blood pressure regulation. It also plays an important role in regulating sodium and potassium levels. It does so by signaling your kidney to absorb sodium when necessary. It also signals the kidneys to release potassium in your urine when potassium levels increase. This helps regulate your blood pressure and electrolyte levels.
The Comprehensive Role of Adrenal Glands In Mental Health Issues
Your stress hormone production usually returns to normal once the stressor goes away. But what if it does not?
Many people develop mental health issues due to continued stressful conditions. The agents creating these conditions include a stressful home or work life, exposure to environmental toxins, or even the foods you eat.
This continuous stress creates a continuous increase in stress hormone production. This could lead to the development of several symptoms often regarded as distinct health issues. Conventional medicine focuses on addressing these health issues. But if they are symptoms of adrenals struggling to keep up with a high demand for stress hormones, the root cause is not addressed.
Continuous stress could eventually result in Adrenal Fatigue, a condition characterized by constant exhaustion, irritability, insomnia, and a reduced ability to cope with stress. Adrenal Fatigue has also increasingly become recognized as a factor in mental health issues.
If not addressed, Adrenal Fatigue can progress to a stage where the adrenals can no longer function properly. Their stress hormone production may decline. In the latter stages of the condition, some people even become bedridden.
Symptoms Associated with Adrenal Fatigue
The symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue may vary from person to person. The most common symptoms associated with Adrenal Fatigue include the following:
- anxiety
- depression
- heart issues including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke
- sleep issues
- weight gain
- difficulty remembering things
- finding it difficult to focus
- headaches
- issues with the digestive tract
- muscle tension or pain
- decreased libido
- hormone issues including loss of libido and increased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
The Role of Adrenal Glands In Mental Health: How Adrenal Hormones Influence Brain Function
Your adrenal hormones, especially epinephrine and cortisol, have a major influence on your brain function. So, the role of adrenal glands in mental health is real. These hormones play a role in memory, especially when you are faced with a challenging experience. High levels of these hormones can harm your brain’s cognitive function and working memory. High stress hormone levels may also increase your risk of anxiety and depression.
We may thus safely say that the role of adrenal glands in mental health issues is due to the production of increased stress hormones. These hormones:
- affect your memory and ability to process emotions
- contribute to the development of mood disorders like irritability, anxiety, and depression
- impair cognitive functions like working memory and decision-making abilities
Risk Factors for Adrenal and Mental Health Issues
When it comes to the role of adrenal glands in mental health issues, some people are more prone to developing these issues than others.
Genetics
Genetic factors may play a role in how your body reacts to stress. Some people, due to their gene composition, tend to stay steady in an emotional sense. Others, facing the same stressors, may see their NEM stress response activate, influencing how they react to and deal with stressful situations.
Life Experiences
Your life experiences may also play a role. People who have faced traumatic events in the past may have a quicker NEM stress response reaction when faced with stressful situations. This may include those who faced traumatic experiences as children, police officers, people in the military, or those involved in a serious motor vehicle accident.
Diet
Your diet can contribute to stress on your body. This is especially the case if you eat a lot of processed and sugary foods. These foods promote an inflammatory response in your body that could promote the development of adrenal fatigue.
Toxin Exposure
Your exposure to toxins is something else to consider when it comes to the role of adrenal glands in mental health. These toxins can come not only from our surroundings outside the home but also from the cleaning materials we use daily.
Lack of Physical Activity
Something else to consider is a lack of physical activity. Physical activity can play its part when looking at the role of adrenal glands in mental health. This is because physical activity, over time, may lower your cortisol levels and even improve your quality of sleep.2
Note that people with Adrenal Fatigue should focus on gentle exercise such as Pilates, yoga, tai chi, or walking. Intense exercise is not advised as it can act as a stressor and worsen Adrenal Fatigue. Strength training is another good option for these individuals.
Testing for Adrenal Issues
If you have some symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue like mental health issues, you may consider testing because of the role of adrenal glands in mental health.
Saliva Cortisol Test
A saliva cortisol test can help you track the role of adrenal glands in mental health because it measures the cortisol levels in your saliva. High cortisol levels as well as low cortisol levels can affect your mental health. The test may also help you determine whether your cortisol levels are higher or lower at the appropriate times of day.
Healthcare professionals often use this test to identify health issues relating to cortisol production like Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease.
You can easily do multiple tests at home throughout the day. Then, you send the different saliva samples to a laboratory. The samples, after analyses, give a clear indication of your cortisol levels at the time they were collected.
Urine Neurotransmitter Test
This test can show the role of adrenal glands in mental health because it measures your catecholamine levels. These neurotransmitters, produced in the adrenal glands, include dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Abnormal levels of these hormones could indicate abnormal adrenal function.
While this test cannot decisively help determine whether you suffer from Adrenal Fatigue, it can suggest whether it is a possibility. A healthcare provider may advise you to consider saliva cortisol tests or other hormone assessment tests to make a more accurate determination.
Addressing Stress
When it comes to addressing the role of adrenal glands in mental health, you should start by addressing the root cause of the issue – stress.
Of course, we can’t always leave stressful situations, so finding healthy ways to deal with your stress may be necessary. Some ways of managing stress include:
Seek professional counseling.- Limit your use of stimulants like coffee and alcohol.
- Follow a healthy diet that focuses on organic fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources like low-fat red meat, fatty fish that contain omega 3’s, and poultry.
- Focus on your relationships with family and friends.
- Take up new hobbies.
- Engage in gentle exercise.
- Do volunteer work in your community – helping others takes your focus off your issues.
- Keep a journal where you write about your experiences and what you are grateful for.
- Employ relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.
- Make sure you get enough quality sleep – a dark room free of electronic devices may help.
- Explore the use of herbs and supplements that have a relaxing effect and provide adrenal support – preferably under advisement from a healthcare professional. Adrenal Calm is a good supplement to consider. It provides adrenal support and has a relaxing effect on the mind and body.
In Closing
There is a connection between adrenal hormones, chronic stress, and mental health issues, which helps explain the role of adrenal glands in mental health. Too many or too few adrenal hormones can seriously affect many functions in the body, including mental health. This hormone imbalance can lead to cognitive decline, memory issues, and even anxiety and depression.
Fortunately, numerous tools can help you deal with your stress to overcome mental health issues. You could also consider joining the Adrenal Fatigue Recovery Program. The program offers you a comprehensive guide to starting and maintaining your recovery journey.
