How HPA Axis Overactivation Disrupts Your Neurotransmitters
Ever felt like you’re in survival mode… emotionally drained, foggy, wired yet tired, craving sugar or caffeine?
That’s not just “stress.” That’s likely your HPA Axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis) working overtime — and it’s throwing off your neurotransmitter balance in the process.
Let’s break this down simply and holistically.
🔍 What Is the HPA Axis?
Think of the HPA Axis as your stress command center. It’s the internal alert system that keeps you alive and alert during real danger — for our ancestors, this may have looked like running from a lion.
It works like this:
- Your hypothalamus (in your brain) senses stress.
- It signals the pituitary gland, which alerts your adrenals.
- Your adrenal glands then release cortisol and other stress hormones to help you respond.
This is great short-term. But when you’re in chronic stress, the HPA axis stays switched “on” — flooding your body with cortisol.
⚠️ HPA Axis Overactivation: The Modern-Day Survival Trap
In our world, the lions are traffic, work stress, trauma, toxins, infections, blood sugar crashes, poor sleep, or emotional overwhelm.
Instead of resting and recovering, your body stays in high-alert mode. Over time, this dysregulation leads to:
- Burnout
- Sleep problems
- Immune dysfunction
- Hormonal imbalances
- Digestive issues
- Neurotransmitter depletion
Which brings us to the next key point…
🧠 How It Wrecks Your Brain Chemistry
When your body is in fight-or-flight, it steals resources from other important pathways — including those that create neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and acetylcholine.
Cortisol hijacks your precursors
Stress uses up amino acids like tyrosine and tryptophan, which are the building blocks for dopamine and serotonin.
High cortisol = low serotonin
Chronic cortisol release reduces serotonin production and increases its breakdown, contributing to:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cravings (especially carbs, chocolate, bread)
- Poor sleep
GABA gets depleted
GABA is your calming, anti-anxiety neurotransmitter. Chronic stress lowers GABA, leaving you feeling wired, tense, and emotionally reactive.
Dopamine crashes
At first, stress can spike dopamine (that “push through” feeling). But long-term, it depletes it — leading to lack of motivation, low mood, and reward-seeking behavior (scrolling, sugar, alcohol, etc.).
🌀 It Becomes a Vicious Cycle
- You’re stressed → HPA axis activates → cortisol spikes
- Cortisol suppresses serotonin, dopamine, GABA
- You feel low → you crave sugar, coffee, quick fixes
- Blood sugar and inflammation go up → more HPA activation
- Repeat…
This is why just “eating better” or “thinking positive” isn’t enough. Your body needs true regulation — not more pressure.
💡 What Can You Do?
1. Test & Don’t Guess
We offer HPA axis + neurotransmitter testing at Modern Medicine. It shows your cortisol rhythm, DHEA, and neurotransmitter levels like serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and more.
Knowing your pattern gives us a map to work with — instead of shooting in the dark.
2. Support the roots, not just the symptoms
You don’t need another supplement from TikTok shop or a stricter diet. You need nervous system repair:
- Magnesium + Methylation support – testing will tell us more
- Protein-rich meals with glycine, tyrosine, tryptophan
- Nervous system support: meditation, breathwork, walks, grounding
- Reduce stimulants (yes, even coffee)
3. Rebuild your stress tolerance
Support adrenal repair with tools like:
- Adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil)
- Gentle movement (yoga, nature walks)
- Breath-led practices and sleep hygiene
- A morning rhythm with sunlight + hydration
🌱 Final Thoughts
If you feel off — like your mood, energy, and emotions aren’t quite syncing up — it might not be “just stress.” It could be your HPA axis and neurotransmitters waving a white flag.
You deserve more than just to push through.
At Modern Medicine, we help you decode these deeper imbalances so you can feel regulated, rested, and fully you again.
📍 Ready to see how your HPA axis and neurotransmitters are doing?
Call and book a new patient appointment today.
Your body is brilliant, let’s help you listen.
Jade Green, TNC, CHHC
