The impact of SERE training on selected neurotransmitter secretion in special forces soldiers

The SERE course provides a unique environment to study physiological stress responses under highly demanding training conditions, offering an exceptional opportunity for study. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of SERE training on the secretion of selected neurotransmitters in special forces soldiers. We measured levels of epinephrine, serotonin, and oxytocin at two time points-during SERE training and after a one-month recovery period-and compared these results with a control group. Measurements were conducted using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe changes in oxytocin and serotonin secretion in the context of SERE training. Our findings showed an increase in the concentrations of epinephrine, serotonin, and oxytocin in response to the stress of SERE training compared to the control group. The concentration of selected hormones, one month after completing the course, was lower than during the SERE training, but only the difference in epinephrine was statistically significant. Moreover, we found positive correlations between all the studied hormones. Our results suggest that elevated levels of these hormones during SERE training reflect the body's adaptive response to acute stress. Collectively, these biomarkers play a vital role in enabling soldiers to survive and perform effectively under extreme conditions.