Hmm, I’ll see if I can find some old papers.… I’m just reciting memories from grad school lectures like… 12 years ago.
Here’s an example of the finding being replicated and explored further in a primate model: https://www.jci.org/articles/view/112443
Basically, cortisol is helpful for surviving injuries. Is it helpful for mental stress? Unclear.
Long term high cortisol is harmful, but the stress in one’s life resulting in that high cortisol level is harmful in more ways than just high cortisol. So are there times when it would be helpful to reduce someone’s cortisol level? Absolutely. But it’s complicated and should be done thoughtfully and selectively, and in combination with other things (particularly seeking out and treating the upstream causes).
Hmm, I’ll see if I can find some old papers.… I’m just reciting memories from grad school lectures like… 12 years ago. Here’s an example of the finding being replicated and explored further in a primate model: https://www.jci.org/articles/view/112443
Here’s a review of cortisol inhibition and surgery findings. A mixed bag, a complicated system. https://academic.oup.com/bja/article/85/1/109/263834
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ejn.15721 “Evidence suggests that psychological stress has effects on decision making, but the results are inconsistent, and the influence of cortisol and other modulating factors remains unclear. ”
Basically, cortisol is helpful for surviving injuries. Is it helpful for mental stress? Unclear. Long term high cortisol is harmful, but the stress in one’s life resulting in that high cortisol level is harmful in more ways than just high cortisol. So are there times when it would be helpful to reduce someone’s cortisol level? Absolutely. But it’s complicated and should be done thoughtfully and selectively, and in combination with other things (particularly seeking out and treating the upstream causes).
You can find lots more on Google scholar.