Which hormone is primarily associated with the stress response?

Cortisol is known as the primary hormone associated with the stress response. It is produced by the adrenal glands and plays a crucial role in helping the body manage stress. When faced with a stressful situation, the body's "fight or flight" mechanism is activated, which leads to the release of cortisol. This hormone helps to increase glucose availability in the blood, enhances brain function, and modulates various bodily systems to prepare for a quick response. Additionally, cortisol helps regulate metabolism and immune response during stressful periods, ensuring that the body can cope with immediate challenges.

In contrast to cortisol, while adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) is released during stress and contributes to the immediate, acute response, it is not as centrally involved in the prolonged adaptation to stress as cortisol is. Serotonin and dopamine are primarily associated with mood regulation and reward pathways, rather than the stress response itself. Thus, cortisol's role in managing both the short-term and long-term effects of stress makes it the primary hormone associated with the stress response.