What Is Cortisol And Do You Have It?

We all hear that stress is bad and that one must never wear it as a badge of pride. But most of the time when things get calm and mundane, we actively seek the next shot of cortisol to keep moving. Is it because the illusion of being stressed makes one feel productive? So much so that one tends to forget about the harm that their body faces?

There are various studies done as talked about in books like ‘Mind Over Medicine’ wherein it proves that one is equipped to repair their body and soul equally on their own.  But do you think these mechanisms can work all day long and automatically? In fact, the only time they can work properly is when the nervous system is relaxed and calm. When your body senses some immediate fear or nervousness or pressure, these in-borne self repairing systems seize to work. 

Let us thus talk about some basic features of this self-inducing stress addiction, also known as Cortisol.

1. Frequent Headaches Or Backaches

When the cortisol level is at its peak for a long time, the adrenal glands deplete, thereby increasing the prolactin level. This increases the body’s sensitivity towards pain, muscle cramps, and backaches. 

Cortisol also increase the hypersensitivity of the brain towards pain. This can excite the brain nerves with even the slightest sound, leading to severe headaches.

2. Sleepless Nights

A decrease in cortisol levels makes one’s nervous system relaxed and calms the mind to sleep properly, which generally happens during the night time. When there is an excess of cortisol, even the tiredness of the day won’t let you sleep. This leads to tossing and turning the whole night and lack of sleep.