Which hormone is typically elevated in response to stress?

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. When a person is faced with a stressful situation, the hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol. This hormone helps to regulate various physiological functions, including metabolism, immune response, and blood pressure, all of which are vital for managing stress effectively.

Cortisol helps to ensure that the body can respond adequately to a perceived threat by providing energy through glucose metabolism, modulating the immune response, and maintaining homeostasis during times of stress. Elevated levels of cortisol can lead to a range of effects on the body, including increased heart rate and blood sugar levels, which prepare an individual to either fight or flee from the stressful situation.

While adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is another stress-related hormone that quickly prepares the body for immediate action, cortisol's role is more about sustaining the body’s response over a longer period. Insulin, on the other hand, is primarily involved in regulating blood sugar levels and is generally not elevated in response to stress. Thyroxine is involved in metabolism and energy production but is not directly linked to the immediate stress response in the same way that cortisol and adrenaline are. Therefore, cortisol is