Understanding Stress: From Biology to Treatment
Stress is an essential survival response designed to help the body adapt to challenges. However, when stress becomes chronic, it can disrupt communication between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, influencing energy production, sleep, mood, and overall resilience.
This presentation explores the biology of stress, the HPA axis, and the progression from adaptive stress responses to patterns of dysregulation commonly associated with burnout and exhaustion. Attendees will examine the impact of psychosocial, environmental, physiological, and mitochondrial stressors, including the role of perceived safety, circadian rhythm disruption, and cellular stress responses.
You’ll learn how:
The HPA axis regulates the body’s stress response and cortisol rhythm
Chronic stress can influence mitochondrial function, recovery, and resilience
HRV, cortisol testing, questionnaires, and metabolic markers can support clinical assessment
Lifestyle, nutritional, circadian, and nervous-system-focused strategies may help support adaptive capacity and recovery
Ideal for functional and integrative healthcare practitioners seeking a systems-based understanding of stress physiology and resilience.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Molly Maloof is a physician specializing in longevity, personalized medicine, and health optimization. She works with entrepreneurs, executives, and investors to support metabolic health, resilience, and long-term performance through a systems-based approach to medicine. Dr. Maloof previously taught health-span extension at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, has advised more than 155 health and biotechnology companies, and is the author of The Spark Factor, the first book on biohacking for women.