You may not know it, but plants get scared sometimes. When this happens, a plant sends chemical signals, not only to itself, but to other plants near it. Plants use their root systems to send a warning signal, and this causes a change in plant hormone levels, so it is possible for plants to be stressed out.

Plants are amazing things and not just the subject of bored people who sit around and listen to the grass grow. Some people even feel that plants have a sense of vision. Despite the knowledge that plants are far more complicated than once thought, I'm afraid we will still keep eating plants. We are backed into a corner when it comes to food.

When people get stressed out, their cortisol hormone levels also change. Normally, cortisol is present in the body, but under stress, the level of cortisol skyrockets. Chronic stress maintains that high level of cortisol, which level in turn, causes negative health effects. One of these is called "belly fat". This means exactly what it says. Somehow cortisol, which thinks in "cave man" terms, makes fat practically out of thin air and creates a little pooch so that you will have a reservoir of fuel for fighting that T-Rex attacking you. Although the T-Rex is extinct, cortisol is blissfully unaware of fashion trends in the 21st century.

Animals can also feel stressed. Not surprisingly, their bodies also produce cortisol in response to stressful events. These events can be one-time events like an attack or chronic stress from situations live living in a laboratory which is not a normal way to live.

Many might say "Define normal", but you already know that solitary confinement, medical experiments, and living in cages is not normal for plants, people, or animals. If you set your mind to it, you can think of a lot of other things which shouldn't happen to living creatures.