Fig. 1

The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. During times of stress, corticotrophin-releasing hormone and vasopressin are released from the hypothalamus and transported to the anterior pituitary. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is released from the pituitary gland which stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol from the adrenal glands into the bloodstream. Cortisol released from the adrenal gland targets organs throughout the body, including the brain