Cortisol, Health and Longevity

Posted on 15/5/2025

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Discover how Cortigenix’s hair cortisol testing can help you live a longer, healthier life.

In an era where health tech companies and biohackers race against the clock to extend longevity — and the period of life spent in optimal health — understanding the underlying factors that influence aging has never been more paramount.

One vital factor is cortisol, often dubbed the ‘stress hormone’, which plays a significant role in regulating the body and brain, our overall well-being, and determining how many years we spend in good health.

What Is Cortisol and Why Does It Matter?

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that plays vital roles in regulating a wide range of systems and processes within the body. It is often referred to as the ‘stress hormone’ because cortisol levels typically change when we encounter stress.

Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands that sit on top of each kidney and helps regulate essential functions like metabolism, inflammation, blood pressure, immune responses, and circadian rhythms.

Almost every cell in the body has receptors for cortisol, so the effects of cortisol on health are far reaching depending on the cells, tissues and systems it is acting upon.

Although cortisol is vital for maintaining your health, cortisol levels that are too low or too high over time can lead to an increased risk of a range of health problems, contributing to chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, poor sleep, low immunity, and even accelerated ageing.

Abnormal cortisol levels over time can increase your risk of:

• Infectious diseases
• Long-term chronic disease
• Heart disease
• Fertility problems
• Alzheimer’s and dementia
• Endocrine disorders

How Does Cortisol Work?

Cortisol is controlled by the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis, which includes the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain and the adrenal glands above the kidneys.

The process begins with the release of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and vasopressin (AVP) from the hypothalamus. These stimulate the pituitary gland to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which prompts the adrenal glands to release cortisol.

Glucocorticoids like cortisol are transported in the bloodstream by corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and act on cells throughout the body via mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR).

Cortisol regulates and supports a wide range of functions, including:

• Regulating immune function and inflammation
• Regulating blood pressure
• Supporting reproductive health
• Increasing blood sugar (glucose)
• Maintaining brain function
• Managing metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• Helping the body respond to and recover from stress

In short bursts, cortisol is beneficial — it helps us respond to danger, recover from illness, and maintain energy. However, when cortisol levels remain elevated over time, the risk of infectious disease and chronic illness such as heart disease and dementia increases significantly.

Cortisol and the Longevity Connection

Chronically abnormal cortisol levels are associated with numerous conditions that shorten both healthspan and lifespan, such as:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity and metabolic syndrome
• Cognitive decline and dementia
• Depression and anxiety
• Poor immune resilience

Many of these conditions are driven by lifestyle factors — diet, exercise, sleep, and stress — all of which influence cortisol levels. If you're aiming to live longer and age well, regulating cortisol is essential.

Why Blood, Saliva, and Urine Cortisol Testing Falls Short

It's important to understand the limitations of traditional cortisol testing methods. Saliva, blood, and urine cortisol tests are considered acute tests — they only provide a snapshot of cortisol levels at a single point in time.

While useful for understanding short-term fluctuations, they do not provide insight into long-term patterns of stress or chronic cortisol exposure. Because cortisol levels vary by the hour and from day to day, single-time-point tests often miss the bigger picture.

What Is the Best Way to Measure Cortisol: Hair Cortisol Testing

Cortigenix’s hair cortisol test offers a far more accurate view of long-term cortisol trends. Unlike saliva, blood, or urine, hair testing captures cortisol accumulation over several months, providing a comprehensive view of chronic stress levels.

Hair grows approximately 1 cm per month. By analyzing a 3 cm hair segment, Cortigenix can reveal average cortisol levels over the last 90 days — delivering unparalleled insight into how stress is affecting your health and longevity.

How to Optimise Cortisol for Better Health and Longevity

Once you know your cortisol status, you can take targeted steps to rebalance it. These include:

• Stress reduction: Try mindfulness, meditation, and other evidence-backed stress reduction therapies.
• Sleep hygiene: Prioritising deep, consistent rest supports adrenal health.
• Adaptogens: Herbs like ashwagandha and rhodiola have been shown to benefit cortisol function.
• Mindfulness & breathwork: Shown to improve cortisol levels and reduce chronic stress.
• Exercise: Moderation is key! Moderate-intensity workouts can help optimise cortisol levels.
• Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet and avoiding blood sugar spikes can help stabilise cortisol levels.

Whatever your health goal, monitoring your progress with hair cortisol testing ensures you’re not just guessing what works for your health and longevity — you're tracking real data and real progress over time.

Conclusion: Don’t Overlook Cortisol in Your Health Optimisation and Longevity Strategy

In the race to live longer and better, cortisol is a vital piece of the puzzle. With just a simple hair sample, you can gain powerful insight into how your lifestyle is shaping your biology and take meaningful steps to optimise your health.

If you're already investing in supplements, routines, and biohacks, make sure you're not missing the foundational marker that could make all the difference — your long-term cortisol levels.

By Dr. Adam Massey, Founder and CEO @ Cortigenix, Clinical Research Scientist, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Nottingham

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