Are you Suffering from High Cortisol?
If you check 8 or more of the below, it may be time to reach out to your Doctor. Please note the below checklist is not exhaustive and does not intend to diagnose.
Neurological & Cognitive signs:
Burning Brain Sensation – Feeling of heat, tingling, or pressure in the brain, especially after stress
Memory "Blanks" – Difficulty retrieving words or details, even if overall cognition seems intact
Paradoxical Energy Crash – Feeling wired but exhausted at the same time, often around mid-morning or mid-afternoon
Hyper-Vigilance & Overreaction – Increased startle reflex, jumpiness, or feeling ‘on edge’ constantly
Tinnitus or Phantom Ringing – High cortisol may trigger or worsen unexplained ringing in ears
Light Sensitivity & Eye Strain – Difficulty tolerating bright lights, worsening in the evening
Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Signs:
Acid Reflux That’s Unresponsive to PPIs – Cortisol’s effect on digestion leads to persistent heartburn
Random Nausea Without Illness – Feeling sick to your stomach even when no food or infection is the cause
Cravings for Salty & Crunchy Foods – Not just sugar, but an intense need for chips, nuts, or other crunchy snacks
Frequent Bloating That Worsens at Night – Due to gut motility changes and dysbiosis
Unpredictable Stool Patterns – Alternating diarrhea and constipation, even without IBS
Paradoxical Weight Gain While Eating Less – Cortisol-driven insulin resistance leads to belly fat storage despite caloric restriction
Endocrine & Metabolic Clues:
Sudden Hot Flashes in Response to Minor Stress – Not hormonal shifts, but cortisol-induced thermoregulation issues
Midnight Wake-Ups with Racing Heart – Waking up between 1-3 AM in panic, feeling hungry or restless
Swelling in Fingers in the Morning – Cortisol affects fluid balance and sodium retention
Unusual Hair Growth or Shedding – Sudden hair thinning or small coarse hairs appearing in odd places
Persistent Low Blood Sugar Episodes – Feeling faint, irritable, or shaky despite eating regularly
Unusual or Excessive Sweating – Sweating for no reason, especially at night
Cardiovascular & Circulatory:
Unexplained Dizziness Upon Standing – Cortisol dysregulation affecting blood pressure control
Random Chest Pain or Heaviness – Feels like a heart attack but normal ECG results
Feeling 'Puffy' But Not Inflamed – Fluid retention around the face and limbs with no clear cause
Immune & Inflammatory:
Skin Rashes That Flare After Stress – Sudden, unexplained eczema or histamine reactions
Frequent & Odd Skin Infections – Fungal or bacterial infections popping up unexpectedly
Tingling in Hands or Feet Without Neuropathy – Not B12 related, but cortisol-induced circulation issues
Frequent Sore Throats Without Illness – Chronic throat irritation due to immune suppression
Delayed Wound Healing or Easy Bruising – Skin takes longer to repair, even small cuts
Mental-Emotional & Behavioral Signs:
Feeling Emotionally Flat but Easily Irritated – Lack of joy, but quick to anger
Losing Interest in Hobbies While Being 'Busy' – Still functioning, but joyless productivity
Compulsive Over-Planning & Micromanaging – A subconscious need for control due to heightened cortisol
Sense of 'Time Pressure' Even with No Deadlines – Feeling rushed constantly, even when there’s no reason
Social Avoidance & Hyper-Independence – Avoiding help, feeling exhausted by social interactions
Reproductive & Sexual Health Symptoms:
Random Period Changes or Missed Cycles – Cortisol disrupting normal hormone rhythms
Decreased Libido with a Sudden Increase in Nighttime Arousal – Low sex drive, but random physical arousal at night
Breast Tenderness Without Cycle Connection – Swelling or discomfort even outside of PMS
Unusual Sensory & Sleep Symptoms:
Hearing Background Noises Louder Than Normal – Cortisol heightens auditory processing
Feeling Restless Yet Deeply Tired – Fatigue combined with the inability to relax
Feeling a Low-Grade ‘Vibration’ in the Body – A subtle internal buzzing sensation, often at night
If you are looking for more information on what cortisol is and how you can manage it, inexpensively and realistically, please check in with our coaches or read our previous blog post: The Stress Hormone That’s Impacting Your Health
View our Cortisol Balancing Guide for sale online now:
Bisous,
Jules X