Where does the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) occur in the brain?

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a theory developed by Hans Selye that describes the body's response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. The GAS is regulated by the hypothalamus, which plays a critical role in the body's stress response system.

The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining homeostasis and regulating many physiological processes, including the endocrine response to stress. When stress is perceived, the hypothalamus activates the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol. This initiates the body's responses and adaptations to stress, which are central to the concept of GAS.

Thus, the identification of the hypothalamus as the location where GAS occurs underscores the key role of this brain region in orchestrating responses to stressors and managing the physiological changes associated with stress.