Cortisol Suppression Protocols are clinically designed regimens aimed at deliberately reducing the circulating levels or biological effects of the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol, typically in cases of hypercortisolism or HPA axis overactivity. These protocols are utilized to mitigate the detrimental effects of chronically elevated stress hormones on metabolic health, immune function, and neurological integrity. The objective is often to restore a more balanced, physiological cortisol rhythm or to therapeutically address conditions like Cushing’s syndrome. Careful monitoring is paramount to avoid precipitating iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency.
Origin
The origin of these protocols lies firmly within clinical endocrinology and pharmacology, initially developed for the diagnosis and management of hypercortisolism. Diagnostic tests, such as the Dexamethasone Suppression Test, utilize this principle to assess the HPA axis feedback loop sensitivity. In the wellness space, the protocols have been adapted using targeted nutrients and lifestyle interventions to manage stress-induced HPA axis dysregulation.
Mechanism
The protocols function by employing pharmacological agents or specific nutritional and behavioral interventions that interfere with the HPA axis feedback loop at various points. Certain drugs directly inhibit cortisol synthesis in the adrenal gland or block cortisol receptors at the tissue level. Non-pharmacological methods work upstream, modulating the hypothalamic release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) or enhancing inhibitory GABAergic signaling to dampen the stress response. The goal is to lower the overall glucocorticoid load on the body’s tissues.
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