// STRESS & RECOVERY

Stress & Recovery

HPA axis, cortisol regulation, sympathetic/parasympathetic balance

Acute stress is adaptive — cortisol mobilizes energy and sharpens focus. But the HPA axis was designed for brief threats, not chronic activation. When the hypothalamus continuously releases CRH, and the adrenals overproduce cortisol, the negative feedback loop breaks down. The result: immune suppression, hippocampal atrophy, and insulin resistance.

Don't guess. Understand.

Every week, we pick one study that changes how you think about your health. We explain the biology, grade the evidence, and tell you exactly what it means — years before your doctor hears about it.