cortisol

2 definitions • 3 examples

a hormone (= a chemical made in the body) produced by the adrenal glands (= small organs above the kidneys) in response to stress (= the state of feeling frightened, very worried, threatened by danger, etc.):

Producing too much or too little cortisol can cause health problems.

Stress raises cortisol levels, suppressing antibodies and thereby weakening your immune system.

the hormone cortisol used as a medical drug to treat inflammation (= sore, swollen areas), for example on the skin or in the joints:

Administration of an immunosuppressant like cortisol will help reduce inflammation.