13/05/2025
đ§ The HPA Axis: What it is, why it matters, and what happens when it goes off the rails
When people talk about managing stress, they often jump to surface-level solutions â deep breathing, a hot bath, maybe a night off. But if weâre not looking at the HPA axis, weâre missing the core mechanism driving the stress response.
So what is the HPA axis?
It stands for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis â a communication loop between your brain and adrenal glands. Hereâs how it works:
The hypothalamus in your brain detects a threat (real or perceived).
It signals the pituitary gland, which then tells your adrenal glands to release cortisol â your bodyâs main stress hormone.
Cortisol prepares your body to respond: raising blood sugar, increasing heart rate, and heightening alertness. (Again, ideal if youâre outrunning a polar bear đťââď¸.)
But hereâs the catch:
Your HPA axis doesnât know the difference between a polar bear and a passive-aggressive email.
If the stress keeps coming â or your body thinks it does â the system stays switched on. Thatâs when we see the long-term consequences:
đ¸ Fatigue
đ¸ Anxiety
đ¸ Insomnia
đ¸ Brain fog
đ¸ Weakened immunity
đ¸ Chronic inflammation
What helps?
Regulating the HPA axis through nervous system therapies like Reflexology, breathwork, and restorative lifestyle changes can help break the loop and restore balance.
At The Moore Clinic, we take stress seriously. Because it's not just in your head â itâs in your hormones, your gut, your sleep, and your whole being.
Curious how Reflexology works with the HPA axis, and why itâs one of the most powerful ways to calm a chronically switched-on nervous system?
Letâs talk.
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