Therapeutic KnittingAsk any knitter why they love knitting. Some might say it's fun to make things by hand. Others will say because it's relaxing. Researchers have recently become interested in this claim and are trying to understand the neuroscience and psychology of how knitting is relaxing. The biggest question now is: how can it be used to help people with certain long-term conditions? Knitting can be an inexpensive, but still effective, alternative way to treat psychological disorders such as stress, depression, ADHD/ADD, PTSD, and dementia. Although annoying, stress has kept the human race alive for thousands and thousands of years (Rx. Reduce Stress). This helped humans escape from a large animal or fight off an enemy. Stress is anything that puts a strain on a person's state of psychological balance (Rx. Reduce stress). The endocrine system is the system in the human body that controls bodily functions through the use of hormones, which are chemicals that the endocrine system releases into the bloodstream (Utiger). One of the things the endocrine system regulates is stress (Rx. Reduce stress). When a person feels stressed, a chain of events unfolds. The body produces a stress hormone called corticotropin, which activates the endocrine system (Rx. Reduce stress). In turn, the endocrine system releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream to give the body the energy it needs to meet the demands of the stressful event (Rx. Reduce Stress). This extra burst of energy can give the body the speed it needs to flee a situation or the strength to fight off a predator (Rx. Reduce Stress), more commonly known as the fight or flight response. life or death is over,...... middle of paper ......Academic medicine. Internet. March 9, 2014.3. “Frequently asked questions about depression.” Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (formerly NARSAD). Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, nd Web. March 09, 2014.4. Hamlin, Ardeana. "Bangor Daily News - Search Google News archives." Bangor Daily News [Bangor] September 2, 2008, ed. Lifestyle: C6. Bangor Daily News - Search Google News archives. Internet. March 09, 2014.5. Kimé, Patricia. “Hobbies as therapy.” Navy Times. Np, and Web. March 4, 2014.6. “Rx: reduce stress. » Consumer Health Reports 17.11 (2005): 1. TOPICsearch. Internet. March 8, 20147. The editors of the Encyclopædia Britannica. “Depression (psychology).” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, nd Web. March 7, 2014.8. Utiger, MD Robert D. “Human Endocrine System (Anatomy). » Encyclopedia Britannica online. Encyclopedia Britannica, nd Web. March 9. 2014.