One of the most profound properties of central neuropeptide Y (NPY) is its anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety, effect. This has been demonstrated repeatedly in a number of animal models. In addition, stressors affect NPY expression in the central nervous system, with acute and repeated (chronic) stress having differential effects. Here, a brief summary of some work performed in our laboratory is presented that supports a role for NPY in regulation of stress responses and behaviors.