10/02/2025
Everyone calls cortisol the “stress hormone.” But Huberman says that’s only part of the story.
On a recent Huberman Lab episode, he breaks it down as an energy-deploying hormone—the signal that tells your body when to spend energy and when to recharge.
Here are a few takeaways worth knowing:
• Cortisol runs on a 4-phase rhythm: low while you’re in deep sleep → small rise mid-sleep → big climb before waking → sharp peak in your first hour up.
• That morning peak is key. Light, water, and movement in the first hour help lock it in.
• The evening drop matters too. Softer light, balanced meals, and a couple deep sighs help cortisol taper down so you can sleep.
• Burnout shows up in curves. Sometimes it’s spiking too hard in the morning then crashing. Other times it’s flat in the morning and too high at night.
Cortisol isn’t something to fear—it’s a signal. The real question: is your curve showing up at the right times?
Get the full recap on the episode → link in bio (link to blog)
