Which hormone is involved in the body's stress response?

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. When a person experiences stress, whether it is physical or emotional, the hypothalamus in the brain activates the adrenal glands to release cortisol. This hormone helps prepare the body to deal with the stressor by increasing blood sugar levels, enhancing brain function, and suppressing non-essential functions such as the immune system. Overall, cortisol aids in maintaining homeostasis during stressful situations, making it essential in the body's stress response mechanism.

In contrast, estrogen primarily regulates reproductive functions, insulin is involved in glucose metabolism and blood sugar regulation, and oxytocin is associated with social bonding and reproductive behaviors. While all these hormones play critical roles in various physiological processes, they do not have a direct or primary function in managing the body's stress response like cortisol does.