Cortisol News and Research

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Cortisol is a hormone made by the adrenal cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal gland). It helps the body use glucose (a sugar), protein, and fats. Cortisol made in the laboratory is called hydrocortisone. It is used to treat many conditions, including inflammation, allergies, and some cancers. Cortisol is a type of glucocorticoid hormone.

Researchers explore the use of virtual reality to reduce stress in young adults with diabetes

Researchers at Wayne State University and Johns Hopkins University are exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) to reduce stress in young adults suffering from diabetes.

15 Oct 2025

Psychedelics could alter treatment paradigms for stress-related mental health conditions

A peer-reviewed viewpoint article published today in Psychedelics by Prof. Xiaohui Wang and colleagues examines the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances for treating stress-related psychiatric disorders through novel neurobiological mechanisms.

14 Oct 2025

Could belonging be a biological shield? Researchers uncover aging clues

Researchers analyzing over 2,100 adults from the MIDUS cohort found that individuals with higher cumulative social advantage, spanning community ties, family relationships, and religious support, showed slower biological aging and lower systemic inflammation. The findings suggest that long-term social resources may become biologically embedded, influencing molecular pathways linked to longevity.

12 Oct 2025

Depression during pregnancy raises risk of gestational diabetes

Findings indicate that antenatal depression increases the risk of gestational diabetes, underscoring the need for early intervention and lifestyle support.

8 Oct 2025

Income inequality in society associated with structural changes in the developing brain

Income inequality in society has been linked to structural changes in the brains of children who go on to experience poorer mental health.

30 Sep 2025

Testosterone fails to influence risk-taking or fairness in men

A large trial reveals that boosting testosterone does not influence men's economic preferences, challenging previous studies linking the hormone to behavior.

29 Sep 2025

Cumulative social advantage linked to slower biological aging and lower inflammation

The cumulative effect of social advantages across a lifetime – from parental warmth in childhood to friendship, community engagement and religious support in adulthood – may slow the biological processes of aging.

26 Sep 2025

Drinking less water daily spikes your stress hormone

Findings indicate that low hydration is associated with increased cortisol spikes during stress, potentially influencing long-term health risks.

26 Sep 2025

Long COVID linked to heavier periods and symptom flare-ups during menstruation

Researchers found that long COVID is linked to heavier, longer, and more irregular bleeding without disrupting ovulation. Symptom severity also peaks around menstruation, likely driven by hormonal and immune changes.

17 Sep 2025

Wearable sensors track early signs of hormone-linked pregnancy changes

Research shows wearable sensors can track pregnancy hormones, offering insights into maternal health and early detection of complications during pregnancy.

17 Sep 2025

Hair cortisol levels signal mental health risks in children with chronic illness

Long-term stress levels, measured through hair samples, may provide important clues about mental health risks in children with chronic physical illnesses (CPI), according to new research from the University of Waterloo.

15 Sep 2025

How breast milk changes from day to night and why timing matters

Breast milk's hormonal and microbial variations throughout the day may affect infant development, emphasizing the need for synchronized feeding practices.

8 Sep 2025

New insights into how breast milk supports baby’s internal clock

Breast milk is the first 'super food' for many babies. Full of vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds, it helps build the young immune system and is widely considered the optimal source of infant nutrition.

5 Sep 2025

Clinical trial finds pork meals enhance recovery and mood in military cadets

A newly published clinical trial in Nutrients highlights pork's role in military nutrition, showing that meals containing lean pork support better recovery, mood and anabolic status in cadets performing intense tactical fitness exercises compared to plant-based meals.

4 Sep 2025

Stress in mothers causes eczema in newborn mice through immune cell changes

Maternal prenatal stress in mice disrupts fetal mast cell programming, triggering eczema-like skin inflammation and heightened sensitivity after birth. The findings reveal how corticosterone-driven immune and neuronal changes in utero may set the stage for pediatric eczema risk.

28 Aug 2025

Surprising brain effect: Music uniquely targets detailed memory via arousal

Researchers found that post-learning music changes emotional arousal, which in turn shapes memory differently across individuals. Moderate arousal boosted detailed memory, while extremes favored gist, showing music’s unique but variable impact on consolidation.

20 Aug 2025

Self-powered microneedle patch offers blood-free biomarker monitoring

Researchers have developed a self-powered microneedle patch to monitor a range of health biomarkers without drawing blood or relying on batteries or external devices.

18 Aug 2025

Pandemic left measurable changes in teen brains, hormones, and immunity

Adolescents assessed after COVID-19 lockdowns showed lower daily cortisol, higher inflammation, and reduced prefrontal cortex activity compared to matched pre-pandemic peers, suggesting widespread stress-related biological changes. These alterations mirror patterns seen after prolonged early-life stress, raising concerns about long-term health risks.

13 Aug 2025

AI-powered sweat sensor predicts anxiety before symptoms appear

Researchers have developed Stressomic, a wearable microfluidic biosensor that sequentially measures cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine in sweat at six-minute intervals. The device distinguishes physical from psychological stress and predicts anxiety levels using machine learning.

7 Aug 2025

Natural brain rhythms control stress hormone levels and alertness

Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka-led research has found stress-controlling brain cells switch on and off in a steady rhythm about once every hour – even when nothing stressful is happening.

4 Aug 2025