8 Ways to Lower Your Dangerously High Cortisol Levels

The Facts On Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

Cortisol is a steroid stress hormone that gets released in response to stressful situations. When the situation occurs, the sympathetic nervous system kicks in and releases adrenocorticotropic hormone in your brain. Your brain triggers your adrenal glands located by your kidneys and cortisol is created.

The release of cortisol in short term situations is helpful and gives you a burst of new energy and strength. In such situations, it may cause a rapid heart rate, dry mouth, an upset stomach, and panic.

After the stress situation passes, your cortisol level should return to normal. When you are in a consistent stress lifestyle or should your cortisol level remain high through your specific physiology, it can be detrimental.

Scientific studies have given insights into the physiological effects of stress and cortisol production and how they may play a role in fertility problems. Chronically elevated cortisol levels can produce impotence and loss of libido by inhibiting testosterone production in men. In women, chronically high levels of cortisol can produce severe fertility problems and result in an abnormal menstrual cycle.

Additionally, high cortisol levels suppress your growth process, harm your digestive system, and can change how your immune system responds.

How To Keep Cortisol Levels Under Control

In order to have optimal levels of cortisol in your body, your adrenal glands must be functioning properly. Here are some key things you can do to keep your cortisol at optimal levels:

1.     Maintain a regular Infrared Sauna regimen
Come take advantage of our luxury infrared sauna in Las Vegas which includes streaming entertainment and a complimentary eucalyptus towel! Scientific evidence shows that infrared sauna therapy helps the body maintain healthy levels of cortisol. While cortisol levels stay the same or rise slightly during a sauna therapy session, they drop immediately afterward. The sauna also helps you burn up to 600 calories per session. Look for beneficial effects in detoxification, improved circulation, improved sleep, boosted immunity and muscle recovery.

2.     Get NAD+ injections
Sculpt Spa is your prime location for NAD+ injections in Las Vegas! Science has found NAD+ to be a huge line of defense for adrenal fatigue issues. As mentioned, by keeping your adrenal glands healthy, you maintain the proper cortisol levels. NAD+ injections also restore mitochondria and promote healthy cellular function throughout your body. NAD+ is a naturally occurring coenzyme derived from Vitamin B3 (niacin). Because NAD+ is a nutrient and not a drug, it has no harmful side effects and provides multiple health benefits.

3.     Get Vitamin B12 injections
Vitamin B12 injections are another valuable component to adrenal gland health. Sculpt Spa Las Vegas offers B12 BOOSTER which also aids red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, cell metabolism, nerve function and hormone balance. The LEAN injection also contains MIC and L-Carnitine to help convert fat into energy, aiding in weight loss.

4.     Regular exercise
intense exercise has been shown to increase cortisol shortly afterwards, but then decreases a few hours later. As your exercise training becomes more habitual, the cortisol response becomes less over time as well. Studies have shown over time, this kind of exercise routine gives you resilience to acute stress and lowers your high cortisol levels. Too much exercise can be harmful however, if the constant intensity keeps cortisol high too frequently.

5.     Meditation and deep breathing
Science has shown that deep controlled breathing helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system which helps to lower cortisol levels. Multiple studies on meditation practices confirm that it too lowers cortisol and manages stress. When a spiritual practice or philosophical focus is added, the benefits are even greater. (If you are looking for a wonderful place for a peaceful meditation, Sculpt Spa’s Infrared Sauna Las Vegas is ideal!)

6.     Whole foods plant-based diet
The wrong foods can drive up stress and your cortisol levels. High sugar diets suppress cortisol when you need it in a high stress event situation but cause long term high levels of cortisol otherwise. One study found that a diet high in added sugars, refined grains and saturated fat to support significantly higher cortisol levels. The optimal diet to control your cortisol levels would include whole grains, legumes/lentils, whole fruits and vegetables.  Green tea, dark chocolate, probiotics/prebiotics, healthy fats and water.

7.     Fish oil and ashwagandha supplements
Omega-3 fatty acids are great for the reduction of cortisol, and fish oil supplements are a terrific source. One longitudinal cohort study involving 2,724 participants showed those with high omega-3 levels in the blood were associated with lower levels of inflammation and cortisol. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen herb. It is associated with the treatment of anxiety and adaptation to stress. Studies on ashwagandha are not as extensive as those for Omega-3, but several small studies showed a significant reduction in cortisol levels after taking 240 mg of ashwagandha extract for 60 days, while the control groups showed no significant changes.

8.     Get a pet
Relationships with pet animals have been shown to reduce cortisol. Numerous studies have indicated the pet affect including reducing stress in children in medical situations, that many were helped more from pet support than human support, and one study that showed cortisol levels were lower in pet owners than in non-pet owners.

Remember, there’s nothing like the infrared sauna experience at   SCULPT SPA, Las Vegas’ premier destination for aesthetic treatments. At our Las Vegas infrared spa, you’ll enjoy your private spa suite, check out the latest must-watch streams via Netflix and Hulu, and get a refreshing eucalyptus towel at the end.  BOOK AN INFRARED SPA SESSION with Sculpt Spa today.