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Physiology & Science
Cortisol
Also known as: Stress hormone
German: Stresshormon, Kortisol
A hormone released by the adrenal glands that follows a daily rhythm and rises with stress. Relaxation and slow-breathing practices have been studied for their effects on cortisol, with mixed results. Cortisol is a useful marker in research but not a simple measure of "stress" or wellbeing.