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There are a few good things about cortisol depressing the inflammatory and immune responses.

First, the immune response takes a lot of energy. If you're running away from a bear, you don't want your energy to be diverted from the muscles!

Second, the inflammatory response increases blood flow to the injured area. This would divert blood from the muscles -- and it could cause the injured area to bleed more.

Third, when the immune response kicks in, it has effects on the whole body. It can cause a fever, and make you nauseated; it can also give you a feeling of malaise, so you just want to lie around and rest. Not the way you want to be during an emergency!

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