Cortisol
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A glucocorticoid steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that mediates various metabolic processes (such as gluconeogenesis), has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, and whose levels in the blood may become elevated in response to physical or psychological stress. When used medicinally it is known as hydrocortisone. countable, uncountable
"There is experimental evidence showing that cortisol restrains the intensity and duration of the emergency reaction to stress, and catecholamines have been shown to enhance emotional memory in the amygdala (see subsection on "Noradrenaline"). Thus, individuals lacking cortisol would overstore traumatic memories ."
- 2 an adrenal-cortex hormone (trade names Hydrocortone or Cortef) that is active in carbohydrate and protein metabolism wordnet
Example
More examples"To troubleshoot your health in case of a mysterious illness, try an elimination diet with only one "superfood" food introduced at first and then add one superfood at a time slowly. Hint, start out in this order: 1/2 pound avocados, 1 gallon milk or kefir, potatoes (not too much at all), 8 ounces Castelvetrano olives, 4 ounces capers,1 liter black tea, 8 ounces raw organic basil garlic dip, and 5 teaspoons raw organic honey. Research your illness day and night. Take breaks with art or creative writing. Keep your brain working! Add superfoods with antiviral properties one by one. Force yourself to be a Sherlock Holmes and know more than your doctor. Socialize 2 hours a day and strive for a peaceful recovery that lowers cortisol and adrenaline. Drinking gallons of fermented milk significantly lowers your cortisol and stress. The Mongols conquered the world with this trick by drinking a fermented horse mare milk called kumis, also called airag. Try to kill viruses with the best and safest antiviral superfoods. Good luck and best wishes."
Etymology
From cortisone + -ol.
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.