Definition and Synonyms of Cortisol
Once in a “stressed” state, an individual will release a hormone called “cortisol.” Staufenbiel, Penninx, Spijker, Elzinga, and van Rossum describe cortisol as a glucocorticoid hormone. They define it as a regulator for many processes, such as: “fat and glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and inflammatory and immune responses” (2013, p. 1221). Generally, cortisol “awakens” the body to respond to an outside stimulus. Cortisol affects many systems of the body to put it into an alert state. One may feel an increased heart rate and respiration, muscle tension, and increased awareness to happenings around. Cortisol can stay at an increased level or can decrease to a baseline, depending on what the body senses. Any type of stressor can signal cortisol. An upcoming exam for a college student, a chronic illness, or excitement right before going on a roller coaster can trigger the release of cortisol, increasing an individual’s alertness.
Introduction
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Vorbach, L., Bennett, K. (2020). Cortisol Affords Immediate Action and Alertness. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1152-1
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