I hate the HPA axis, but we better study it because….

The Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis (HPA axis) gives wonderful insight into the mind-body connection!

It’s a horrid thing to try and understand, but in doing so, it helps us debunk the myth of adrenal fatigue and even understand how the cortisol levels in our bloodstream wax and wane with life and its stressors.

The HPA axis is all about how the hypothalamus speaks to your pituitary gland and then how the pituitary speaks to your adrenal glands…… and then…..via a negative feedback loop, the adrenals and cortisol communicate with your brain that sets the whole loop up again.

Because there is a lot of exciting physiology 🙄 going on in this feedback loop, there is opportunity for HPA dysregulation, which we can simplify down to disturbed ‘comms’ between brain and body.

When this dysregulation occurs…stress, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and possibly a whole host of autoimmune and hormonal issues unravel as well.

So hold my hand as I explain a complex topic, a topic that I avoid like the plague.

I promise to make it fun, because it’s very important. And what I have found with study over the years, is that when you pay close attention to something you dislike, you can usually learn to love it.

It’s a bit like trikonasana (triangle pose) for me.

I REALLY used to hate that pose and now… I just can’t wait to do it everyday. Something so wonderful about stretching out your side waist!