cortisol

[ kawr-tuh-sawl, -sohl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Biochemistry. one of several steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex and resembling cortisone in its action.
Pharmacology. hydrocortisone.

cortisol

/ ˈkɔːtɪˌsɒl /

cortisol

/ kôr′tĭ-sôl′,-sōl′ /

The principal steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It regulates carbohydrate metabolism and the immune system and maintains blood pressure. When natural or synthetic cortisol is used as a pharmaceutical, it is known as hydrocortisone.

First recorded in 1950–55; cortis(one) + -ol ¹

C20: from cortis ( one ) + -ol ²

Cortisol is going to go up, but it should go back down again.

“We get stressed out and flooded with cortisol,” Kaminsky explains.

The truth is that any exercise releases cortisol and results in a certain level of inflammation—and this is a good thing!

Your body begins to secrete adrenaline, your cortisol levels rise, and your heart starts pumping faster.

This helps us regulate our cortisol and melatonin levels for a proper wake and sleep cycle.

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