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Cortisol Overload Syndrome

Meaning

Cortisol Overload Syndrome refers to a clinical state characterized by the chronic, non-pathological exposure of tissues to excessively high levels of cortisol, the primary glucocorticoid stress hormone, often due to prolonged psychological or physiological stress. This syndrome is a functional endocrine imbalance distinct from Cushing’s disease, involving an overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The resulting hormonal milieu leads to systemic effects such as central adiposity, insulin resistance, immune dysregulation, and impaired sleep architecture. Addressing this chronic elevation is crucial for restoring metabolic and psychological equilibrium.