Cortisol is the body’s main stress hormone. More recently, it’s been making headlines galore, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). In just the past year, Google searches for cortisol have increased by 110 percent in the United States. The public’s curiosity has grown tremendously. This trend is part of a larger spread of misconceptions discussed on TikTok, such as “cortisol belly” and “cortisol face,” that experts say oversimplify complex biological processes and introduce or perpetuate insecurities around appearance and health.
The increase in searches related to cortisol is a cross-section of current societal fears and old anxieties about stress, wellness, and healthy living. People are looking for answers to questions like cortisol trigger foods and how to do a cortisol detox. Here’s why experts are worried about the oversimplification and possible misinformation around these topics. As the post notes, proper management of stress and anxiety starts with understanding why cortisol is so important.
Understanding Cortisol
Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol is key in the body’s stress response and serves many important functions. It is rhythmical in the sense that it goes along with the natural daily rhythm, usually peaking in the morning and declining during the day. Cortisol is key to the body’s stress response. When it goes chronically out of balance, it can set off major health issues, such as life-threatening adrenal crisis.
Stan Van Uum, an endocrinologist and a professor of medicine at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, says cortisol levels are affected by a number of factors. Sleep patterns and physical activity have huge impacts on these fluctuations. He highlights the complex nature of cortisol regulation, stating, “When it becomes an issue is when your cortisol goes up and stays up and doesn’t come down in an appropriate way when the reason for the stress is over.”
Experts contend that the average person doesn’t need to stress over cortisol overdrive. They think that the current trend with “cortisol detoxes” is unwarranted. “The way I look at ‘cortisol detoxification’ is the idea that you want to get your cortisol levels to a lower level,” Van Uum explains. He is adamant that there’s not the scientific proof at the moment that any of these detoxes work.
The Impact of Social Media
Social media platforms have played an outsized role in driving the dialogue surrounding cortisol. Influencers and health advocates alike often herald these simple answers to a complicated problem. Craig Doig, an associate professor of metabolic health at Nottingham Trent University, cautions that phrases like “cortisol belly” and “cortisol face” can be tempting. They overlook the nuances of hormonal interactions. He states that these phrases “reduce incredibly complex biological processes into bite-sized insecurities.”
This gross oversimplification can pull people into a world where everyone is concentrating on the symptoms and not doing the deeper work on the stress management root causes. According to Van Uum, “You have to think about it: Are you worried about your cortisol level or are you worried about the stress in your life, that you feel that there is too much to deal with?” This perspective allows for a more holistic, whole-body understanding of health that focuses on lifestyle factors instead of just directly measuring hormone levels.
The Future of Cortisol Research
Trends on social media are quickly influencing how the public views cortisol. As experts caution, we are still without long-term data about cortisol levels and what they mean. Van Uum notes, “We don’t have good data to say how do we measure the outcome? How do we make sure your cortisol is at the appropriate level for what your body needs?”
This uncertainty further highlights the need for more investigation into cortisol’s role with other hormonal or bodily functions. How important is the science behind this station concept? Including him and Diaz, they stress that the idea of purging cortisol from the body is not just unlivable, it’s deadly. Encourage personal healthy behaviors such as increased physical activity and getting enough sleep. These habits are all proven to reduce stress and keep cortisol levels in check.
