Cortisol

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex in response to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation. It follows a circadian pattern (peaks in early morning, nadirs at midnight) and acutely helps the body respond to stress by mobilizing energy, suppressing non-essential functions, and modulating inflammation. Chronic cortisol elevation from sustained psychological stress disrupts the hair growth cycle, promotes telogen effluvium, impairs sleep architecture, increases visceral fat storage, and suppresses immune function. Adaptogenic supplements (ashwagandha, rhodiola, phosphatidylserine) aim to normalize HPA axis function and reduce cortisol.