To Evaluate Effect of Hypericum perforatum on Chronic Stress Induced Alterations in Social Behavior

Abstract

In order to understand the need for this study, it’s important to have a basic understanding of stress, importance of social behavior and how it is affected by stress. It’s also important to be clear about the models that have been used. 1.1) STRESS AND ITS TYPES Everyone needs a little stress in their lives to perform. Think of a musical instrument, without enough tension, it would go off tune but too much stress or tension could result in the string to snap. It’s the same thing with our mind and body; the trick is to keep stress under control and in balance. Stress starts off as a feeling and a reaction to certain situations; it’s the body’s way of making you more alert and ready to take on a challenge. We might think that the stress happens only in the mind; however, research has shown that the entire body can be affected by stress. (1) When we encounter a perceived threat or are placed in a stressful situation, the hypothalamus, a tiny region at the base of your brain, sets of an alarm system in your body through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals. This system prompts your adrenal glands, located on top of your kidneys to release a surge of hormones including adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, increases your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars, glucose in the bloodstream; this natural reaction is called the stress response and it can help us out a lot when we are in a critical situation. (2, 3)