Cortisol Production: How Your Body Makes the Stress Hormone

Cortisol is made in the adrenal glands, which are located on the top of each kidney. The pituitary gland, a small gland in the brain, controls the production of cortisol. It sends a signal to the adrenal glands to make cortisol when there is a need for it.

Several things can cause the body to produce cortisol. These include:

- Stress: Cortisol is released when a person is under stress, whether physical or emotional. Stressful events can include everything from a minor inconvenience to a major life event.

- Trauma: Cortisol levels can also rise due to trauma, such as a car accident or a natural disaster.

- Injury: Cortisol helps regulate the immune response and can be released in response to injury.

- Illness: Cortisol can also be released in response to illness. It helps the body to fight infection and regulate the immune response.

- Exercise: Exercise can also cause the body to release cortisol. This is because exercise can put the body under stress and damage tissue.