Debunking Myths and Understanding the “Stress Hormone”
Lately, many people are talking about cortisol, often blaming it for various health issues like feeling tired all the time and having a “cortisol face.” With the rise of wellness content on TikTok, there are countless videos claiming that an imbalance of cortisol, known as the “stress hormone,” is behind numerous health problems. But should we really be worried, or is this just another case of popular pseudoscience?
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys. It has several important functions, including reducing inflammation and increasing glucose breakdown. However, it’s best known as the “stress hormone” because it’s released in response to stress, helping the body stay alert by enhancing necessary functions and slowing down non-essential ones.
Under normal circumstances, cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, peaking in the morning and declining at night.
The Rise of Medical Misinformation
Cortisol has become a hot topic on the wellness side of the internet. Over the last three months, there have been 30,000 TikToks tagged with “#cortisol,” garnering 529 million views. Google searches for “cortisol levels” have also increased since the beginning of the year. Despite its popularity, much of the information circulating about cortisol is inaccurate.
Popular videos claim that high cortisol levels can cause symptoms like bloating, facial puffiness (dubbed “cortisol belly” and “cortisol face”), afternoon fatigue, easy bruising, and brain fog. However, these symptoms can result from many other conditions, such as anemia, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and menstruation. For most people, cortisol is unlikely to be the cause of these issues.
Dr. Charlotte Hodges, chair of the surgery department at White Rock Medical Center in Dallas, explained to CNN Health that a slight increase in cortisol wouldn’t require medical treatment. Professor Stafford Lightman from the University of Bristol bluntly stated to Dazed, “There is no such thing as ‘raised cortisol’ outside of clinical conditions.”
Clinical Conditions Involving Cortisol
One clinical condition involving high cortisol is Cushing’s syndrome, caused by excessive cortisol over a long period. This can result from a tumor in the pituitary or adrenal glands or long-term use of steroid medication. Symptoms include a puffy face, a fatty hump between the shoulders, muscle weakness, thin skin, irregular periods, and mood changes. Cushing’s syndrome is rare, affecting only 40 to 70 people per million each year.
Wellness videos often recommend methods to lower cortisol that won’t help if you have Cushing’s syndrome. For those with clinically high cortisol, treatments like surgery or medication adjustments are necessary. For others, lifestyle changes like walking, sleeping more, and drinking water instead of coffee can reduce stress but won’t significantly impact cortisol levels.
Prescription corticosteroid medications, which act as anti-inflammatories, can also increase cortisol levels, leading to symptoms like a rounder face and easy bruising. However, the benefits of these medications often outweigh the risks, and any changes to prescribed medication should be discussed with a doctor.
Low Cortisol Levels
Some TikTok videos about high cortisol also mention symptoms that can actually indicate low cortisol levels, such as fatigue, low mood, and muscle weakness. Clinically low cortisol levels are often a sign of Addison’s disease, where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol or aldosterone. Addison’s disease is rare, affecting 100 to 140 people per million.
The Bottom Line
If you’re experiencing health problems and suspect cortisol may be the cause, don’t rely on TikTok for solutions. The only way to know for sure is to consult a doctor who can test your cortisol levels and provide appropriate treatment.
Always seek professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for any health concerns. The information in this article is verified by fact-checkers to be accurate at the time of publishing.
Sources:
- CNN Health
- Dazed
- White Rock Medical Center
