The Cortisol Craze: Is it Justified?

Authored By: Maia Phillips Art By: Eileen Cho Are you tired? “High cortisol.” Do you have brain fog? “Lower your cortisol levels.” Experiencing weight gain? “Check your cortisol.” “Cortisol face” is the new buzzword for a puffy face.

Information on cortisol levels has been readily circulating on the internet over the last couple of years. Many celebrities use their platform to claim that high cortisol is the cause of many health concerns, whether it be mood or weight gain. But is this really the case? Is lowering our cortisol levels really the answer to so many of our daily struggles?

While cortisol is an essential hormone for survival—it plays many roles, such as regulating stress and the immune system—there are many other hormones and factors we need to be aware of that contribute similarly, like thyroid and even daily exercise [1]. Research suggests that cortisol should not be the main focus, but rather how lifestyle factors contribute to stress–cortisol is not the “gold standard” in medicine for assessing stress [2].

Additionally, it is necessary to understand that simply taking a cortisol reading will not provide the full picture on its secretion. How we measure cortisol is not as cut-and-dry as taking one reading for many reasons, such as how cortisol levels naturally throughout the day, even hourly [3]. The fluctuation occurs because cortisol employs a feedback mechanism, meaning it adjusts readily in order to maintain homeostasis [4]. Moreover, different people have different levels of cortisol for myriad reasons, whether it be anxiety or poor sleep [2]. Thus, this high fluctuation rate can steer us in the wrong direction as we interpret our cortisol readings.

Beyond the fact that it is hard to measure consistently, claims about cortisol often ignore the fact that the adrenal glands, which secrete cortisol, are very good at their job [4]. There are multiple adrenal glands in the body, so it takes a serious stressor to cause them to stop working [4]. True cortisol disorders are extremely rare.

It is also important to note that cortisol is not a bad thing, but rather, it is necessary for our survival [3]! Having a stress response is what keeps us alive, and it also keeps us alert throughout the day [4]. If cortisol levels drop too low, symptoms such as dizziness and loss of appetite can occur, proving its importance [4].

The blame in the media for high cortisol causing mood dysregulation is not necessarily warranted, as many studies argue that insufficient clinical evidence has been gathered to place as much weight on cortisol for emotional state as we do [5]. A recent study indicated that while cortisol can have a role in mood, it might not be to blame for neuroticism—there are many other pathways controlling humans’ long-term emotional state [5]. Recent studies have shown that sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen play a large role in emotional regulations, which explain potential differences in female and male pathways [6]. Rather than placing a full emphasis on cortisol regulation, it is also important to consider these other pathways to get the full picture.

There is so much variability that inconclusive evidence has been the theme within this field, so more research is necessary to truly determine whether cortisol is a large driver in the physical and mental issues many face. Hormone pathways and human disease states are so complex, so while it may be tempting, please consult your doctor and do your own research before making conclusions based on what is gaining traction on social media.

References:

1. Larkin, T., Thomas, S. J. (2023, May 1). No, you can’t blame all your health issues on “high cortisol”. Here’s how the hormone works - University of Wollongong – UOW. https://www.uow.edu.au/media/2023/no-you-cant-blame-all-your-health-issues-on-high-cortisol-heres-how-the-hormoneworks.php

2. Pasricha, T. (2025, February 17). What people get wrong about cortisol, the “stress hormone.” The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/02/17/cortisol-levels-high/

3. McEwen, B. S. (2019). What Is the Confusion With Cortisol? Chronic Stress, 3, 247054701983364. https://doi.org/10.1177/2470547019833647

4. Blakemore, E. (2024, March 1). What is cortisol—and should you actually be worried about it? Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/cortisol-stress-hormone-explainer

5. Io Ieong Chan, & Anise M.S. Wu. (2024). Assessing the role of cortisol in anxiety, major depression and neuroticism: a Mendelian randomization study using SERPINA6/SERPINA1 variants. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science, 4(3), 100294–100294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100294

6. van Wingen, G. A., Ossewaarde, L., Bäckström, T., Hermans, E. J., & Fernández, G. (2011). Gonadal hormone regulation of the emotion circuitry in humans. Neuroscience, 191, 38–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.04.042