What is the primary role of the Parasympathetic Nervous System in GAS?

• A. Balances sympathetic activity
• B. Increases cortisol
• C. Prolongs fight-or-flight
• D. Decreases heart rate

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is that during stress the body first ramps up arousal through the sympathetic system, and then the parasympathetic system works to bring the body back toward balance. The parasympathetic nervous system calms the body after a threat by slowing the heart rate, promoting digestion, and conserving energy. In the General Adaptation Syndrome, this balancing action helps transition from the alarm phase, dominated by sympathetic activation, toward recovery and rest. So the primary role is to counteract and balance sympathetic activity, preventing the stress response from staying at high alert for too long. Increasing cortisol or prolonging the fight-or-flight response are actions of the sympathetic/HPA axis, not the parasympathetic system. Decreasing heart rate is a parasympathetic effect, but describing the broader, corrective role in GAS is best captured by balancing ongoing sympathetic arousal.