Cortisol: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

The stress hormone cortisol is a complicated and vital aspect of our day-to-day functioning. Read to understand in simple terms its pros and cons.

Denise Everheart

Many people are experiencing high-stress levels and abnormal cortisol levels these days. We must understand cortisol's role in our health and well-being to manage our stress levels better. Cortisol isn’t all bad, just like not all stress is bad. But too much cortisol and constant stress can get pretty ugly very quickly.

Topics covered:

What is cortisol?
What does cortisol do to my body?
How does my body control cortisol levels?
What happens if I have too much cortisol?
What causes high levels of cortisol?
What are the symptoms of high cortisol levels?
What happens when cortisol levels are too low?
What can I do to manage my cortisol levels?
Conclusion
Managing cortisol levels with The Art of Living
Related topics

What is cortisol?

Known as “the stress hormone,” cortisol is part of the steroid family. Our body creates a surplus of cortisol to deal with stressful situations and increases our heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels in the process. When these stressful situations are life-threatening, this steroid hormone is working to save our lives.

But what happens when cortisol is repeatedly triggered for non-life-threatening situations? Let’s look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of cortisol production.

What does cortisol do to my body?

The good

Secreted by the adrenal glands on top of your kidneys, cortisol plays a role in the blood glucose and metabolizing fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. And though cortisol raises blood pressure and blood sugar in stressful times, it is considered a regulator of those functions. It also can reduce inflammation and control your sleep-wake cycle.

Also known as a glucocorticoid, cortisol is responsible for regulating metabolism and coordinating various functions in the body by sending information through the bloodstream. Without cortisol, in many cases, our bodies wouldn’t know what to do or not do.

In short, cortisol is vital to maintaining good health and day-to-day functions.

The bad

Nobody likes the way stress feels. When cortisol levels are high, our bodies can experience headaches, digestive issues, chest pains, and trouble sleeping. We can also feel anxious or experience low levels of depression. Unfortunately, too many people are experiencing the harmful effects of way too much cortisol.

The ugly

Significant health risks are likely when cortisol levels are chronically high. Did you know that too much cortisol can kill brain cells and make you more susceptible to mental illness? High cortisol levels can also harm our muscles and bones, causing weakness and contributing to osteoporosis. This stress hormone may also be a factor in unexplained infertility and rheumatoid arthritis.

The ugly fact is that high cortisol levels are like unleashing a ravenous monster inside your body. How can we stop this stress monster from eating away at our bodies?

How does my body control cortisol levels?

Nearly every tissue in your body has glucocorticoid receptors. These receptors are monitoring your cortisol levels 24/7. Unfortunately, high levels of stress cause these receptors to function poorly. This can lead to inflammation, autoimmune issues, and weight gain.

But when stress is managed correctly, the glucocorticoid receptors can do their jobs, and you experience better health and well-being.

What happens if I have too much cortisol?

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Too much cortisol can cause some of the main symptoms of Cushing syndrome — a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. Cushing syndrome also can cause high blood pressure or bone loss. Sometimes, it can cause type 2 diabetes.”

What causes high levels of cortisol?

While stress is a significant factor, problems with your adrenal glands could be an issue. The most common issue is non-cancerous tumors growing on the outside of the adrenal glands. Cancerous tumors are rare. If you think you may have an issue with your adrenal glands, please see your health professional.

What are the symptoms of high cortisol levels?

Headaches
Mood swings
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Intestinal issues
Anxiety
Depression
Weight gain
Increased blood pressure
Blood sugar issues
Thinning of the bones
Muscle pain, tension, or weakness
Fogginess
Poor sleep
Irregular menstruation

Since many of these symptoms could be something other than just high cortisol levels, please seek your doctor's advice before self-diagnosing. Your doctor may decide to do a cortisol urine test, a salivary cortisol test, or a blood test to check your cortisol levels.

What happens when cortisol levels are too low?

Sometimes, cortisol production is lower than it should be. Too little cortisol brings other kinds of health issues like Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency, and low blood pressure.

Interestingly, some symptoms associated with not enough cortisol are also associated with too much cortisol.

Fatigue, muscle weakness, and mild depression could be symptoms of either low levels of cortisol or high levels of cortisol. What is unique about low cortisol levels is unintended weight loss, low blood sugar, craving for salty foods, and increased thirst.

Clearly, having normal cortisol levels is worth aiming for.

What can I do to manage my cortisol levels?

Avoid known chronic stress when possible.
Prioritize self-care time and activities.
Add breathing exercises and meditation to your daily schedule.

Conclusion

We’ve all heard the saying that not all stress is bad stress. But now we have a clearer picture of how some stress, some cortisol, is actually good. Stress plays a role in keeping us alive, safe, and healthy. But when stress becomes more than a brief, acute dynamic and crosses over into chronic stress or traumatic stress— it is a problem that can grow to unmanageable levels.

Managing cortisol levels with The Art of Living

Good news! You don't have to worry about your cortisol level. Having normal cortisol levels is easy with The Art of Living's Part 1 course, which features SKY Breath Meditation. Here's a short list of SKY benefits supported by research and enjoyed by millions:

60% reduction in serum cortisol levels
Significant reduction in depression and anxiety
Reduced PTSD symptoms
Healthier blood pressure
Greater mental focus
Enhanced deep sleep
Stronger immune system
Increased joy
And more…

Watch this short video, This is Your Brain on Stress, to learn how the Art of Living’s SKY Breath Meditation activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) to significantly lower cortisol levels.