Anyone who's been stressed knows that it can interfere with sleep, mental health and concentration. But if that's not enough, recent social media claims suggest that too much stress can send cortisol levels soaring — leaving you with a puffy, round-looking "cortisol face."
The claim may sound plausible, especially when you are stressed, exhausted and not feeling quite like yourself. But the connection between everyday stress, cortisol and facial changes is more complicated than social media might suggest.
How cortisol works in the body
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands — small organs located on top of each kidney. It plays a meaningful role in your body's cardiovascular, metabolic and central nervous system functions. But cortisol is most commonly known as the "fight-or-flight" hormone because it helps the body react immediately to a perceived threat.
Cortisol plays a critical role in how your body handles all types of stress, including:
