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Cortisol Impact Decision Making

Meaning

Cortisol Impact Decision Making refers to the demonstrable influence of circulating glucocorticoid levels on an individual’s cognitive processes, particularly those involved in complex choices, risk assessment, and long-term planning. Acute elevations of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, often bias decisions toward habit-driven, less reflective, and risk-averse strategies. Conversely, chronic dysregulation, whether high or low, can impair prefrontal cortex function, leading to reduced cognitive flexibility and poorer outcome evaluation. Understanding this impact is crucial for clinical management of stress and hormonal balance.