• Question: What is Hormone Cortisol and how does it affect our bodies?

    Asked by Katelyn to Georgina on 13 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Georgina Hazell

      Georgina Hazell answered on 13 Nov 2017:


      Cortisol is known as the get-up-and-go hormone and stress hormone. It is a steroid hormone released from adrenal cortex into the bloodstream, and helps the body to make and use energy. Because of this cortisol is released from the adrenal gland in the morning to wake us up (and get us going), and also when we are stressed (and need more energy to deal with the stress).
      Cortisol is also a potent anti-inflammatory hormone (reduces the activity of the immune system) and has roles in the cardiovascular system (e.g., increases pulse rate and blood pressure).

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