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Stress, Health, and the Relaxation Response

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Behavioral Medicine: Work, Stress and Health

Part of the book series: NATO Science Series D: (closed) ((ASID,volume 19))

Abstract

The relaxation response is believed to be an integrated hypothalamic response which results in generalized decreased sympathetic nervous system activity (11). This response, termed the “trophotropic response,” was first described by Hess in the cat (24). Electrical stimulation of hypothalamic areas results in hypo- or adynamia of skeletal musculature, decreased blood pressure, decreased respiratory rate, and pupil constriction. Hess states, “Let us repeat at this point that we are actually dealing with a protective mechanism against overstress belonging to the trophotropic-endophylactic system and promoting restorative processes. We emphasize that these adynamic effects are opposed to ergotropic reactions which are oriented toward increased oxidative metabolism and utilization of energy” (24). The “ergotropic” reactions of Hess correspond to the “emergency reaction” first described by Cannon, popularly referred to as the fight or flight response and also called the “defense reaction” by others (1, 25).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Herbert Benson

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  1. Herbert Benson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Psychological Associates of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, 24502, VA, USA

    W. Doyle Gentry PhD

  2. Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, University of Virginia, USA

    W. Doyle Gentry PhD

  3. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Hospital, USA

    Herbert Benson MD

  4. Workgroup on Psychology of Work and Organization, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Charles J. de Wolff (Director) (Director)

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© 1985 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

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Benson, H. (1985). Stress, Health, and the Relaxation Response. In: Gentry, W.D., Benson, H., de Wolff, C.J. (eds) Behavioral Medicine: Work, Stress and Health. NATO Science Series D: (closed), vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5179-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5179-2_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8792-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5179-2

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