Cortisol

Cortisol is one of the most commonly measured biological analytes during a stress response.

Cortisol is released from the adrenal glands upon activation of the HPA axis, and is involved in multiple metabolic pathways, including regulation of blood glucose levels, our energy resource.

Cortisol Responses

Cortisol plays a large role in the stress response and associated physiological changes. Cortisol shuts down hunger and diverts blood and energy resources away from the digestive system. These physiological changes can feel like your mouth is going dry, feeling vomit-y or butterflies in your stomach.

The physiological responses induced by cortisol are designed to be adaptive and allow you to perform as required.

Measuring Cortisol​

When present, cortisol can be measured in the:

• blood
• saliva
• swear
• interstitial fluid
• tears
• urine
• hair

Some of these sample types can be quite invasive, may require a laboratory setting and large equipment for analysis which is not always practical, especially in sport.