Page |44 deep reach. The hypothalamus plays a that loneliness is associated with key role in enabling communication increased risk of chronic conditions that from brain to periphery. Located in the are characterized by heightened lower central region of the brain, the inflammation (e.g., atherosclerosis, hypothalamus receives neural input on elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease, brain and body states (e.g., pain, diabetes, and even cognitive sadness, fear, hunger) and in response impairment). If cortisol dampens signals brain regions that control the inflammation, why might elevated levels autonomic nervous system and the of cortisol in lonely individuals be pituitary and adrenal glands. Signals to associated with more rather than less the autonomic nervous system permit inflammation? modulation of heart rate, blood pressure, It turns out that communication and numerous other factors that serve to among the hypothalamus, pituitary maintain homeostasis. Signals to the gland, and adrenal glands becomes pituitary gland (located at the base of the dysregulated when chronically brain, just below the hypothalamus) stimulated. Whereas cortisol effectively prompt the release of hormones that dampens immune and inflammatory ultimately permit modulation of almost responses on an acute basis, when every endocrine gland in the body, circulating cortisol levels are chronically including the adrenal glands (one is elevated, cells become resistant to its situated on top of each kidney). The immunosuppressant and anti- adrenal glands serve many functions, inflammatory effects. This alteration and one is to produce and secrete happens at the level of DNA where the cortisol. Cortisol is frequently referred to actions of genes in each cell of our body as a “stress hormone” because can be turned on (i.e., expressed) or off. circulating levels increase dramatically Recent evidence suggests that the effects in response to any stimulus that requires, of loneliness reach down to this