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Cortisol Reactivity Profiles

Meaning

Cortisol reactivity profiles clinically describe the characteristic pattern and magnitude of an individual’s cortisol response to a standardized physiological or psychological stressor. These profiles quantify how quickly, intensely, and for how long the HPA axis is activated, and how efficiently it returns to baseline following the challenge. Understanding a patient’s specific profile is essential, as hypo- or hyper-reactivity can indicate different underlying states of HPA axis dysregulation and chronic stress adaptation. This personalized data informs targeted interventions to restore stress resilience.