Stress & Cortisol

I know you don't want me to tell you that your stress is (mostly) responsible for your issues. The problem is that cortisol (the stress hormone) is a hormone that can do damage. When it stays elevated too long, it throws almost your entire hormonal system into a cascade of dysfunction.

BUT, I want to highlight that you need cortisol and stress, it's when it becomes chronic, when you're stuck in your orthosympathic mode (fight or flight), that it becomes detrimental to your health.

1. Your thyroid
It blocks the conversion of T4 to T3, the active hormone. Your bloodwork can look "normal" and yet you're tired, cold, and losing hair.

2. Your progesterone
Cortisol and progesterone share the same raw material (pregnenolone). Under chronic stress, your body prioritizes cortisol. Hence the PMS and anxiety before your period.

3. Your gut
It weakens your intestinal lining and throws off your microbiome. Result: more inflammation, more bloating.

4. Your sleep
Your cortisol should drop in the evening to make room for melatonin. Under chronic stress, it stays elevated. Hence those 3am wake-ups.

5. Your blood sugar
It pushes your liver to release sugar continuously, which exhausts your pancreas and encourages abdominal fat storage.

6. Your immunity
From being overexposed, your immune cells stop responding well. Result: more infections, more chronic inflammation.

But again, find someone who will actually listen to you and see you as a whole person, not just one symptom. And I can also be that person for you, through Endobiogeny.

With love,
Marine Sélénée