News — cortisol and anxiety
Is Stress Ruining Your Sleep?
Posted by Morgan Fisher on
It’s important to understand how stress affects your hormones. When you're stressed, your body produces more cortisol. While cortisol is necessary for your bodies during stress, too much can harm your sleep. Research shows that high cortisol can reduce REM sleep and increase awakenings during the night. This means you might wake up more often and not feel rested. Additionally, high cortisol levels can take resources away from hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which can worsen mood. High cortisol levels can disrupt your sleep Chronic stress disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycle. If cortisol levels stay high at night, it becomes harder to...
The Cortisol Steal: Understanding Its Impact on Hormones and Stress
Posted by Morgan Fisher on
You may have heard the term cortisol steal (or pregnenolone steal) in relation to stress and hormones. It refers to how, under chronic stress, the body prioritizes cortisol production at the expense of other essential hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. For those experiencing high stress, stored trauma, or hormone imbalances, understanding how cortisol affects the body can illuminate frustrating symptoms and offer a path to relief. Common Symptoms of Cortisol Steal The cortisol steal often contributes to frustrating symptoms, such as: Fatigue: With the body constantly producing cortisol, energy levels can feel drained. Sleep Disturbances: High cortisol, particularly...