Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. While often called the ‘stress hormone,’ cortisol has many important functions beyond the stress response.
What Cortisol Does:
Cortisol regulates metabolism, helps control blood sugar levels, reduces inflammation, influences blood pressure, and controls the sleep-wake cycle. It increases glucose availability to help your body respond to stress and suppresses non-essential functions during emergencies.
The Stress Connection:
When you experience stress, your hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland, which then signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol. This is part of the ‘fight-or-flight’ response. Cortisol levels naturally rise and fall throughout the day, typically highest in the morning and lowest at night.
When Cortisol is Imbalanced:
Chronic stress can keep cortisol levels elevated, potentially leading to weight gain (especially around the abdomen), difficulty sleeping, weakened immune function, high blood pressure, and mood changes. Low cortisol can cause fatigue, weakness, and low blood pressure.
