Do you have questions about cortisol? Let's get to know this 'stress hormone' in detail!

You've probably heard the word " cortisol , " especially when talking about " stress ." But cortisol isn't just a "stress hormone." In fact, it's an essential hormone that plays a very important role in our bodies. So, today, let's talk about cortisol in a simple way that you can understand.

What is cortisol? Is it really just a 'stress hormone'?

Simply put, cortisol is a hormone produced and secreted by our adrenal glands – two small glands located above the kidneys. It is a type of steroid hormone called a glucocorticoid .

Yes, as you might expect, cortisol is closely linked to stress. Whether we experience acute stress , chronic stress, or traumatic stress , our bodies release cortisol. That's why it's also called the "stress hormone."

What is the effect of cortisol on our body?

Cortisol is a hormone that affects almost every organ in our body and controls many important functions. Let's take a look at what it is.

Controlling how you respond to stress

When you sense danger or fear, your body immediately goes into a state of "fight or flight," right? At that time, hormones like adrenaline are released. Then, to keep you alert, cortisol starts to be released. Also, cortisol helps release glucose , or sugar, from our liver to provide the energy needed at this time.

Metabolism and blood sugar levels

Metabolism is simply the process by which our bodies use energy to live, work, and function. Cortisol helps with this by controlling how our bodies use glucose for energy.

For example:

• It affects our pancreas, reducing the production of insulin and increasing the production of glucagon. While insulin reduces blood sugar, glucagon increases sugar levels.
• It also affects the adipose tissue, liver, and muscle in our body, controlling how we use glucose.

Suppressing inflammation

In the short term, cortisol can boost our immunity by reducing inflammation , which is swelling and redness in the body. However, if cortisol levels are consistently high, our body can become accustomed to it. Then the opposite happens. Inflammation can increase and the immune system can weaken.

Regulating blood pressure

It is not yet fully understood exactly how cortisol controls blood pressure. However, it has been found that high cortisol levels can lead to high blood pressure, and abnormally low levels can lead to low blood pressure.

Helps control sleep-wake cycle

Normally, cortisol levels are low when we sleep at night. It peaks just before we wake up in the morning. This shows that cortisol has a major impact on our circadian rhythm , or sleep-wake cycle.

How does our body control cortisol levels?

Our body has a very complex system for controlling cortisol levels. The main roles in this are played by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in our brain. These two control the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands.

This is how it happens:

1. When your blood cortisol levels drop, the hypothalamus releases a hormone called CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) .
2. This CRH hormone signals the pituitary gland to produce a hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) .
3. This ACTH hormone then stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol and release it into the bloodstream.

So, to maintain healthy cortisol levels, all three of these organs—the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands—must function properly.

What happens if cortisol levels increase?

When cortisol levels are high for a long time, we call that condition hypercortisolism . This usually occurs with a condition called Cushing's syndrome .

What are the causes of increased cortisol?

• Long-term use of corticosteroid medications (e.g., prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) in high doses.
• ACTH-producing tumors – These most often develop in the pituitary gland.
• Cysts that form in the adrenal glands and produce excess cortisol.

Symptoms of high cortisol

When cortisol levels are elevated, or when you have Cushing's syndrome, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Weight gain , especially in the face and abdomen.
• Fatty deposits on the back between the shoulders (a hump similar to a buffalo hump).
• The appearance of wide, purple stretch marks on the abdomen.
• Muscle weakness in the upper arms and thighs.
• Increased blood sugar levels , which can often lead to Type 2 diabetes.
• High blood pressure .
• Unwanted hair growth in women – a condition called hirsutism .
• Weakening of bones – Osteoporosis and fractures can occur.

What happens if cortisol levels decrease?

When cortisol levels are lower than normal, doctors call it hypocortisolism , or adrenal insufficiency . There are two main types of this.

What are the causes of low cortisol?

• Primary adrenal insufficiency: This is often caused by our own immune system attacking the adrenal glands. This is also called Addison's disease .
• Secondary adrenal insufficiency: This occurs if the pituitary gland is underactive ( hypopituitarism ) or if there is a pituitary tumor.

Symptoms of low cortisol

When cortisol levels are low, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Feeling very tired (fatigue).
• Unintentional weight loss.
• Loss of appetite .
• Low blood pressure .

What can I do to reduce cortisol levels?

If you have a condition like Cushing's syndrome, you may need medical treatment to lower your cortisol levels. This usually involves medication and/or surgery. However, there are a few things we can do to help control our cortisol levels:

• Get good sleep: Problems like insomnia and working the night shift can increase cortisol levels.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity improves sleep quality and reduces stress.
• Practice deep breathing: Breathing in a controlled manner stimulates our parasympathetic nervous system – the system that calms our body and controls “rest and digest”.
• Be happy, smile: When you smile, hormones called endorphins are released and cortisol levels decrease.
• Maintain good human relationships: Constantly problematic and tense relationships can lead to constant stress.