Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
06:55

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

Allostasis and allostatic load: expanding the discourse on stress and cardiovascular disease

Jeongok G Logan1, Debra J Barksdale

  • 1School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460, USA. gang@email.unc.edu

Journal of Clinical Nursing
|June 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Allostasis and allostatic load explain how the body adapts to stress. Enhancing resilience through allostasis strategies can improve health outcomes and combat chronic illness.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Stress Response
  • Health Outcomes

Background:

  • Traditional stress models inadequately explain the link between stress and chronic illness.
  • Allostasis, extending homeostasis, describes physiological adaptation to stressors.
  • Allostatic load represents chronic maladaptation leading to pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Introduce allostasis and allostatic load concepts.
  • Explore their application in clinical interventions.
  • Enhance resilience for improved health outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Discursive paper reviewing allostasis and allostatic load.
  • Theoretical model application.
  • Biomarker measurement of allostatic load.

Main Results:

  • Allostatic load, measurable by biomarkers, correlates with poorer health.
  • Higher allostatic load is linked to increased risk of chronic illness.
  • Resilience signifies successful allostasis.

Conclusions:

  • Allostasis theory provides a framework for understanding stress adaptation.
  • Clinical strategies combining allostasis and resilience can mitigate chronic stress effects.
  • Evidence-based practice requires managing stress and enhancing resilience.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings10:45

A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings

Published on: January 22, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...