Which hormones are primarily released by the sympathetic nervous system during stress?

The sympathetic nervous system is activated during times of stress, initiating the "fight or flight" response. During this activation, the body needs to prepare for immediate physical action, which involves the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that facilitate quick responses.

Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) are key hormones released from the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nerve endings, respectively. These hormones increase heart rate, elevate blood pressure, and boost energy supplies by mobilizing glucose reserves, among other effects. This physiological response is critical for preparing the body to handle stressful situations effectively.

While cortisol (provided in another option) is indeed released during stress, it is primarily a product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and is involved in longer-term stress responses, such as managing energy levels and metabolism over hours to days rather than the immediate reactions that epinephrine and norepinephrine facilitate.

Dopamine and serotonin are neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and other functions, but they are not primarily associated with the sympathetic nervous system response to acute stress. Similarly, testosterone and estrogen are steroid hormones primarily linked to reproductive functions rather than stress responses. Understanding these distinctions emphasizes