The onset of a acute stress response is associated with specific physiological actions in the sympathetic nervous system, both directly and indirectly through the release of epinephrine and to a lesser extent norepinephrine from the medulla of the adrenal glands

In event of acute stress these catecholamine hormones facilitate immediate physical reactions associated with a preparation for violent muscular action. (Gleitman, et al, 2004) These include the following:

• Acceleration of heart and lung action
• Inhibition of stomach and intestinal action
• Constriction of blood vessels in many parts of the body
• Liberation of nutrients for muscular action
• Dilation of blood vessels for muscles
• Inhibition of lachrymal glands (responsible for tear production) and salivation
• Dilation of pupil
• Relaxation of bladder
• Inhibition of erection and sexual dysfunction
• Increase in blood press and sugar level
• Intense strains of muscles  

Disruption of the sexual response and the digestive system are common negative results. Diarrhoea, constipation, and difficulty maintaining sexual arousal are typical examples. These are functions which are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system and therefore suppressed by sympathetic arousal by acute stress. Prolonged acute stress responses may result in chronic suppression of the immune system, leaving the sufferer vulnerable to infection by bacteria and viruses. Repeated stress responses can be caused not only by real threats, but also by mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, in which the individual shows a stress response when remembering a past trauma, panic disorder, in which the stress response is activated apparently by nothing and chronic stress

Although the emergency measure of the acute stress response is undoubtedly both vital and valuable, it can also be disruptive and damaging. In most modern situations, humans rarely encounter emergencies that require physical effort, yet our biology still provides for them. Thus we may find our acute stress response activated in situations where physical action is inappropriate or even illegal. This activation takes a toll on both our bodies and our minds.

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