Stress. When a person experiences stress, a small region at the base of the brain called the hypothalamus sets off an alarm throughout the body. The alarm prompts the adrenal glands (located at the top of the kidneys) to release stress hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine. One of the main functions of stress hormones is to prompt a quick rise in blood sugar to fuel the fight-or-flight response. This response is built into human physiology to deliver a surge of energy when a person needs to run form danger or physically defend himself. This surge was especially necessary and beneficial in the past when people had to physically fight to survive or had to run form invaders for safety. As blood sugar spiked, the person had instantaneous fuel to run or fight. The act of running or fighting burned off the excess blood sugar equilibrium.