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.

High impulsivity linked to increased stress response during boring tasks

Research at the University of Portsmouth has explored the relationship between high impulsivity and boredom, in an effort to find out what drives rash and sometimes unhealthy decisions.

26 Sep 2024

Childhood adversity linked to elevated health risks, differing by sex and stress

Researchers assess the heterogeneous effects of childhood adversity on disease biomarkers and health conditions in adulthood.

20 Sep 2024

Soft drinks worsen menstrual pain, study shows

Soft drink intake is linked to a higher likelihood and severity of primary dysmenorrhea in Chinese women, especially in rural areas, while moderate coffee consumption may reduce PD severity.

16 Sep 2024

Gut bacteria pathways directly linked to insomnia risk identified

Study uncovers a causal link between specific gut microbiome metabolic pathways and insomnia, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for improving sleep quality.

3 Sep 2024

Study links higher hair cortisol levels to greater behavioral problems in children

In a study within the INMA project and involving 11-year-olds, Ane Arregi, a member of the Basque Environmental Health Research Group of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), has concluded that greater behavioral problems are linked to higher hair cortisol levels.

3 Sep 2024

Breakthrough in stress detection with advanced cortisol measuring device

Stress takes various shapes in our daily lives, from relentless work demands to the constant rush of the school run.

30 Aug 2024

Long COVID symptoms may stem from low cortisol and altered brain immune response

Proteins left behind by COVID-19 long after initial infection can cause cortisol levels in the brain to plummet, inflame the nervous system and prime its immune cells to hyper-react when another stressor arises, according to new animal research by University of Colorado Boulder scientists.

19 Aug 2024

New findings reveal how serotonin shapes behavior in negative situations

Researchers increased synaptic serotonin through a selective serotonin-releasing agent, fenfluramine, to investigate its impact on human behavior.

14 Aug 2024

Calorie restriction and therapy combo reshapes gut microbiome, boosts mental health in women

Study finds that combining caloric restriction with psychological interventions significantly alters the gut microbiome and improves stress-related mental health in women.

11 Aug 2024

Cannabigerol shows promise in reducing anxiety and stress, study finds

Whether the phytocannabinoid cannabigerol impacted mood, stress, and anxiety and caused any related adverse effects of cognitive or motor impairment.

5 Aug 2024

Severe PTSD characterized by lower oxytocin and higher vasopressin levels

Research finds PTSD marked by reduced oxytocin and elevated vasopressin, suggesting AVP/OT ratios as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment response.

1 Aug 2024

Study finds cannabigerol effectively reduces anxiety, boosts memory recall

A lesser-known cannabinoid that is gaining in popularity Cannabigerol (CBG) effectively reduced anxiety in a clinical trial without the intoxication typically associated with whole plant cannabis.

31 Jul 2024

LGBTIQ+ and cisgender heterosexual individuals exhibit more stress hormones during controversial campaign

How did the 2021 national marriage equality referendum campaign in Switzerland affect the well-being of the LGBTIQ+ community?

24 Jul 2024

Exercise boosts hormone levels: New research shows increased oxytocin and cortisol in urine and saliva

Research shows that both urine and saliva samples effectively capture oxytocin and cortisol fluctuations in response to physical exercise, highlighting the robustness of these non-invasive methods.

22 Jul 2024

Drastic caloric restriction by athletes diminishes performance and compromises the immune system

Drastically cutting back on caloric intake to lose weight ahead of competition is commonplace among athletes.

15 Jul 2024

Is air pollutant exposure during pregnancy associated with infant cerebral palsy risk?

The association between prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution during the pregnancy and the risk of cerebral palsy in the infant.

12 Jul 2024

Disturbances in sleep patterns increase the risk of depression in midlife women

The relationship between sleep-wake changes and depressive symptoms among midlife women.

4 Jul 2024

Touch sensitivity deteriorates with age only in regions of the body with hairless skin

Like most primates, humans are remarkably touchy-feely. Starved of touch, we release more of the stress hormone cortisol, which causes the immune system to be down-regulated and the heart rate and blood pressure to go up.

2 Jul 2024

Scientists identify potential driver of aggressive lung cancer in patients living in violent neighborhoods

Scientists have identified a potential driver of aggressive lung cancer tumors in patients who live in areas with high levels of violent crime.

24 Jun 2024

Exercising at night improves glucose control in overweight adults

Researchers explore differences in the timing physical activity and its impact on blood glucose levels and metabolic function.

20 Jun 2024