Originally Posted by
bizzarro
Why not?
You are thinking at the hypothalamus like a rigid controller of bodily processes, but its functions go beyond maintaining homeostasis and deep into emotional, cognitive and intellectual and all is interconnected with control of stress response via release of hypothalamic peptides (CRH, TRH, GHRH, GnRH) signaling the pituitary to dispense its hormones into circulation.
I don't know of alternative pathways to the adrenals but the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenals connection is already mediated by nervous control and thus affected by our very thoughts and emotions. F.ex, HPA over-activation is a common finding in clinical depression.