Which action is associated with an increase in cortisol release during stress?

The release of epinephrine and norepinephrine during stress is primarily associated with the body's "fight or flight" response. When an individual experiences stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to the secretion of these catecholamines from the adrenal medulla. This activation prepares the body to respond to the stressor, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy availability.

Furthermore, the release of these hormones is part of a cascade that stimulates the hypothalamus to release corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). In turn, CRH prompts the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce and secrete cortisol. Therefore, while the direct action of epinephrine and norepinephrine does contribute to the physiological changes associated with stress, they also play an integral role in the overall increase of cortisol levels, enhancing the body's ability to cope with stressors by mobilizing energy reserves and modulating immune responses.

In contrast, the negative feedback mechanism typically serves to regulate and decrease hormone levels, including cortisol, once stress has subsided. Atrophy of the adrenal cortex results from chronic stress or insufficient stimulation, leading to decreased hormone production rather than an increase. Stimulation