Today's Word 👉 Cortisol

The "Stress Hormone"

November 13, 2025

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Cortisol (KOR-tuh-saal) (noun): Known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress and helps the body manage challenging situations.

“Short term, stress in your brain does all sorts of great stuff. But chronically, stress will damage a part of your brain called the hippocampus, which is essential for learning and memory.”

— Dr. Robert Sapolsky, “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: Stress and Health” lecture in 2016

First published in 1994

Zebras don't get ulcers because they only experience episodic stress—short bursts of intense stress from physical threats like a lion attack—which is resolved by physical action like running away.

In contrast, humans often endure chronic stress from psychological worries (like work or finances), which keeps stress hormones like cortisol elevated, leading to stress-related diseases

SMARTER INSIGHT
Balancing cortisol through stress management techniques like meditation, exercise, and quality sleep is key to long-term wellness. Learning to recognize when cortisol is elevated can help you take steps to calm your system before it becomes harmful.

USE IT TODAY
Pause and check in with your body—are you tense, restless, or jittery? If so, try a quick breathing exercise or a brief walk to help lower your cortisol and bring your nervous system back to balance.

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