Cortisol
Synopsis of Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, located atop the kidneys. It plays a vital role in regulating the body’s response to stress, metabolism, immune function, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and circadian rhythm. Cortisol is released in a daily cycle—highest in the morning to help with waking and energy, and lowest at night to support restful sleep. However, it is also rapidly released in response to acute stress through activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Short-term cortisol elevation helps the body respond to threats by increasing glucose availability, enhancing brain function, and reducing inflammation. However, chronically elevated cortisol—due to ongoing psychological stress, poor sleep, overtraining, or stimulants—can contribute to fatigue, weight gain (especially abdominal), anxiety, insomnia, immune suppression, and even cognitive decline. Conversely, abnormally low cortisol, as seen in Addison’s disease or burnout, can lead to fatigue, low blood pressure, brain fog, and cravings.
Maintaining cortisol balance is key to long-term vitality, mood regulation, energy levels, and hormonal harmony.
Natural remedies to support Cortisol
Adaptogenic herbs: Help regulate HPA axis response to stress (e.g., ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil).
Consistent sleep schedule: Supports cortisol rhythm and recovery; aim for 7–9 hours per night.
Balanced blood sugar: Frequent crashes can stimulate cortisol release; eat regular meals with protein and fat.
Mind-body practices: Meditation, deep breathing, and gentle movement (like yoga or tai chi) lower stress.
Reduce stimulants: Limit caffeine and intense exercise if cortisol is already high.
Natural daylight exposure: Helps reset the circadian clock and balance cortisol production.
Magnesium and vitamin B5/B6: Support adrenal health and cortisol metabolism.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Cortisol.
7-Keto-DHEA
adrenal cortex
amino acids
ashwagandha
bovine
bасора
caffeine
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
eleuthero
ginseng
guayusa
holy basil
l-theanine
lactium casein decapeptide
licorice root
maca
magnesium
magnolia
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
phosphatidylserine
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
schisandra chinensis
tongkat ali
vitamin B6
whole adrenal glandular
wild yam
zinc
gastrodia
dioscorea
yucca
hypothalamus
11-Keto-Androstenetrione
DMPX
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
3-Alpha-Hydroxyetioallocholan-17-one
3b-Hydroxy-androstan-17-one
3-deoxy 7-oxo DHEA
3-Ketosteroid
3b-hydroxy-androsta-4,6-diene-17-one
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6, 17 keto etiocholeva-3-ol 3, 17 ketoetiochol-triene
7-oxo-DHEA
7-Beta-Hydroxy-DHEA
7-KETO-DHEA
7-Alpha-Hydroxy-DHEA
7-Hydroxy-DHEA (unspecified)
Ashwagandha
Adrenals
Adrenal
Apigenin
Arimistane
Adrenosterone
Alkaloid (unspecified)
Ajuga turkestanica
Acetyl L-Tyrosine
Agnusides
Apigenin
Adrenaline
American Ginseng
Alkaloids
Adrenals
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
alkaloid
Agnuside
Adrenal extract
Animal protein
Brassaiopsis glomerulata
blend (herb/botanical)
botanical (unspecified)
Bovine (unspecified)
Bacopin
Blend (Mineral)
Basidiomycota
Basil
Bacopa (unspecified)
blend (herb/botanical)
Bovine (not specified)
Bacopa glycoside (unspecified)
Coffee
Caffeine pterostilbene
Cortisol
Cannabinoids
Caffeine alpha-ketoglutarate
Cacao
Chinese Licorice
Caffeine
Coffee (mixed)
Carbohydrate
DHA-conjugated phosphatidylserine
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Eurycomanone
Eleuthero Root
Eleutherococcus gracilistylus
Eurycoma Longifolia
Eleuthero
Eurypeptides
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Eleutheroside
Fat (unspecified)
food additive (unspecified)
Fungus
Fungus (unspecified)
Forskolin
Genseng (not specified)
Ginseng, Oriental
Ginsenosides
Ginseng, Siberian
Glycyrrhiza (unspecified)
Ginsenosides (unspecified)
Ginseng
glycyrrhizic acid
Guaranine
Ginseng (unspecified)
Guayusa
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Guarana
Ginsenoside
Ginseng, Panax
Glycyrrhizin
Ginsenosides
Holy Basil Herb
Hoenelen
Holy Basil
Jatamansi
Ketosterones
Ketotserones
L-Tyrosine
Laxosterone
Licorice (unspecified)
Licorice
Licorice (various)
Maral Root
Methylxanthine (unspecified)
Magnolia
Mushroom (unspecified)
Oriental Ginseng
peptides (unspecified)
Panax Ginseng
Panax Pseudoginseng
Peptides (unspecified)
Phosphatidylserine
Pig
Phosphatidylserine complex
Panax Notoginseng
Pregnane
plant (unspecified)
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
Rosavins
Rhaponticum carthamoides
Rhodola crenulata
Rosabin
Rosavins (mixed)
Rhodiola (unspecified)
Rhodiola sacra
Reginin A
Rosarin
Rosavin
Rhodiola
Rosevin
Rhodiola crenulata
Robusta Coffee
Salidroside
Salidrosides
Suma
salt (unspecified)
Schisandrins
Siberian ginseng
Sterones (unspecified)
Stabilizer
Shiny Bugleweed
Tissue (unspecified)
Tundra mountaincrown
Undeca-2E, 7Z, 9E-Trienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate)
Vitamin B5 (unspecified)
Vitamin B5 (mixed)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine HCl)
Vitamin B
Withanolides
Withanolide
Waldelactone
Xanthine