ELI5. If cortisol is the strongest natural anti-inflammatory, why do we need to reduce stress in order to heal chronic inflammation?

Question

Frankly, often times I think that all this inflammation thing is just an excuse to sell over the counter supps.

Also, there’s a clear pattern in inflammatory conditions that get improved by things like sleep deprivation (higher cortisol). ELI5

In: 2

Answer 1

Inflammation, the immune system, and the stress response are all really complicated, in a way where every answer leads to more questions, and the more you learn, the less you know.

In this case, cortisol and related hormones have a ton of different functions, and are some of the broadest-acting signals your body can make. They’re supposed to be regulated by a feedback loop, (i.e. if there’s already plenty of the hormone around, start making less.) Importantly, the timing makes a difference. A sudden burst of cortisol helps stand down acute inflammation. Chronically high cortisol throws off the whole regulatory system, and can lead to chronically high inflammation.