The biggest myth about the trending ‘Cortisol Cocktail'
Lowering your cortisol levels, according to content creators, is the most recent magic bullet for everything from hair loss to back pain, though overwhelmingly it appears to be a Trojan horse for the comeback of noughties bikini body culture. The latest weapon in 'wellness' TikTok 's fight against stubborn belly fat and 'cortisol face'? The 'Cortisol Cocktail'.
What is the 'Cortisol Cocktail' and does it work?
Recipes vary, but content creators purport a mixture of coconut water (for electrolytes), sea salt (for sodium), fruit juice (usually orange juice for vitamin C), and some sort of extra (be it magnesium powder, or sparkling water for potassium), can help regulate your cortisol levels, supposedly by replenishing nutrients lost when stress causes ' adrenal fatigue '.
It sounds sweet from the surface, but the deeper you dig, the more sour it becomes.
Putting aside the fact that there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of adrenal fatigue (the separate rare condition called adrenal insufficiency is typically caused by an autoimmune disorder and needs to be diagnosed by a doctor), solutions claiming to lower cortisol levels, including the 'Cortisol Cocktail', are flawed from the get-go.
The very premise they lie on is a myth: Cortisol isn't the culprit, it's merely the conveyor belt. High cortisol levels at night, for example, can make it harder for you to fall asleep. But the unusual increase would be in response to a stressor, say, dinner an hour or two earlier with your difficult in-laws. Deal with the stressor, not the natural response to the stressor.
'Changing your cortisol [levels] artificially doesn't work, and [it's] not the reason for the weight gain or the cause of the stress,' says University of Melbourne Professor of Endocrinology Ada Cheung, who is also an endocrinologist. 'The external cause of the stress is what we should be targeting, not the cortisol levels.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
2 days ago
- Herald Sun
This ‘anti-cortisol' yoga pose is the missing ingredient in your nighttime routine
Sick of buying into expensive wellness trends that leave you no less stressed than before? It's time to try this surprisingly simple pre-bed yoga trick. Winding down after a long day is no easy feat for most people in this day and age. Whether you've spent your waking hours outnumbered by young children, ticking off a long list of overdue life-admin tasks, or glued to your computer at work, the pressure to switch off our bodies and minds before bed can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But, as we know, rest is one of the most essential ingredients for a happy and functional life, so finding achievable ways to bring down our cortisol levels at the end of each day is a mission most of us will begrudgingly continue to embark on. Sure, there's no shortage of sleep-bolstering supplements and anti-stress techniques pitched to us every day from well-intentioned wellness experts and brands, but many of these stress-releiving trends fail to deliver the results people desire, instead wasting their time, effort and money. Enter this 'anti-cortisol' yoga pose, a simple, yet surprisingly effective nighttime practice that could very well be exactly what we need to banish any pre-bed anxiety and stress. Unlike some yoga poses only mastered by the flexi pros, this restorative pose, known by its Sanskrit name viparita karani, doesn't require any yoga experience, strength or flexibility. In fact, all you'll need to give it a go is a sturdy wall and 5 to 20 minutes. All you need is a wall and a spare 15 minutes. Image: Pexels Simply lie on your back against the ground (a mat or towel might be necessary if you're dealing with hardwood floors) and place your legs flush against a wall at a right angle. If the pose is uncomfortable for any reason, simply make adjustments as needed, such as placing a pillow under your head or lower back. According to wellness and yoga gurus all over the internet, practising this simple pose for just 5 to 20 minutes every night can help your nervous system regulate itself after a busy day, as well as drain fluid that may have accumulated in the lower limbs and improve circulation. Unlike pricey supplements and TikTok-endorsed bizarre wellness hacks, this pose is completely free, surprisingly simple and doesn't require much time or energy. How to stack your wellness habits for better results If you're someone who is short of time at the end of the day, time-consuming habits and 12-step skincare routines just aren't a commitment you're likely to stick to regularly. Luckily, there are plenty of pre-bed rituals you can stack on top of this pose for the sake of efficiency. While you're posing your stress away, consider adding in a session with your LED mask, committing to a round of well-intentioned breathwork or meditation, or listening to the music, podcast or audiobook you tend to play before bed. You can also use the time to catch up on your end-of-day debrief and office gossip with your significant other. With Aussies boasting some of the highest burnout rates in the world (61 per cent compared to a global average of 48 per cent), taking the time each evening to pause, reflect, and send your body a signal that it's time to wind down has never been more essential. So, after putting the kids to bed and loading up the dishwasher tonight, give this restorative pose a go and reap the well-deserved benefits. Originally published as This 'anti-cortisol' yoga pose is the missing ingredient in your nighttime routine
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Courier-Mail
Huge blood test myth has finally been busted
Don't miss out on the headlines from Health. Followed categories will be added to My News. Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner explores whether or not blood tests are back for you. QUESTION: Dear Dr Zac, I saw a doctor on Instagram saying that getting blood tests can make you more sick, because the more blood you have drawn, it's taking away your immune system? Is that true or just social media pseudoscience? – Amanda, 27, Gold Coast ANSWER: If I had a dollar for every time an 'Instagram doctor' spread weird health advice, I'd be rich enough to launch my own line of overpriced supplements and film it shirtless in a rainforest. Let's get straight to it: The claim that drawing blood somehow removes your immune system is complete nonsense. According to this so-called 'Medical Medium' (who, by the way, says his info comes from a spirit – yes, really), taking blood for tests will make you sicker because it weakens your immune system. That's not just wrong, it's dangerously misleading. Here's why you shouldn't panic if your GP orders a blood test – and why listening to ghost-guided wellness influencers could do more harm than a few millilitres of blood ever could. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY Blood tests don't drain your immune system – just your TikTok feed. Let's bust the myth first: Your immune system doesn't live in your blood like it's floating around in a tiny lifeboat. Yes, some immune cells are in your bloodstream, but they're constantly being produced by your bone marrow and lymphatic system. Drawing a small amount of blood doesn't cripple your defences, it gives your doctor valuable clues to help strengthen them. Standard blood tests typically take about 5–10ml of blood. That's around two teaspoons. The average adult has five litres of blood. You've probably lost more than squeezing a pimple or stubbing your toe in the dark. Even if you get extensive testing done, say 50ml worth, it's still less than 2 per cent of your total blood volume. Your body replenishes that quickly, usually within 24–48 hours. Unless you're a lizard person (or actively haemorrhaging), you'll be just fine. But what about people who feel worse after blood tests? This is where things get a bit nuanced. Some people do feel faint, dizzy or tired after having blood drawn. But that's more to do with how the blood was taken (and whether you had breakfast) than the blood itself. Feeling queasy is often linked to: Vasovagal response (a fancy way of saying your body freaks out at needles), Low blood sugar, or anxiety. These are temporary reactions, not signs your immune system is crumbling. Where did this bizarre idea come from? The quote in question comes from Anthony William, aka the 'Medical Medium'. He claims to hear health advice from a spirit (who apparently skipped immunology class). Is a blood test dangerous? Picture: iStock He's not a licensed doctor, has no formal medical training, and has previously claimed celery juice can cure everything from anxiety to shingles. He's also built a multimillion-dollar wellness empire promoting unproven health advice, often to people who are desperate and vulnerable. That, in my opinion, is the real sickness. Sure, he throws in the odd disclaimer like 'work with your doctor,' but that's like a car salesman saying 'test the brakes' while handing you a steering wheel held on with duct tape. Here's what you actually should do around blood tests If you're sick or dealing with chronic illness, your doctor might want to order blood work to understand what's going on. That's a good thing. The faster you get the right diagnosis, the faster you can get the right treatment. Some basic tips for a smooth blood test experience: • Drink plenty of water beforehand (it makes veins easier to find) • Don't skip meals unless told to fast • If you get dizzy, let the phlebotomist know, they can take extra care • Rest afterwards if needed, and have a snack Unless you've been told to fast, don't skip meals. Picture: iStock That's it. No sage burning or spirit communication required. The only thing scary about blood tests is the fact that some influencers think they're dangerous. Removing 5ml of blood won't wreck your immune system – but believing Instagram pseudoscience just might. Blood tests are safe, essential, and can literally save your life. And if someone tells you otherwise while claiming to get their health info from ghosts, maybe it's time to unfollow. You've got this. Dr Zac Got a question? Email askdrzac@ Follow @DrZacTurner on Instagram Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors. Originally published as Huge blood test myth has finally been busted
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The biggest myth about the trending ‘Cortisol Cocktail'
Think of a problem, any problem, you'd like to eliminate. Chances are, someone on social media has a 'quick fix', a solution that will become clear if you watch their lengthy, ad-filled videos, and succeed if you use their discount codes (which are supplied in the caption for your convenience, of course). Lowering your cortisol levels, according to content creators, is the most recent magic bullet for everything from hair loss to back pain, though overwhelmingly it appears to be a Trojan horse for the comeback of noughties bikini body culture. The latest weapon in 'wellness' TikTok 's fight against stubborn belly fat and 'cortisol face'? The 'Cortisol Cocktail'. What is the 'Cortisol Cocktail' and does it work? Recipes vary, but content creators purport a mixture of coconut water (for electrolytes), sea salt (for sodium), fruit juice (usually orange juice for vitamin C), and some sort of extra (be it magnesium powder, or sparkling water for potassium), can help regulate your cortisol levels, supposedly by replenishing nutrients lost when stress causes ' adrenal fatigue '. It sounds sweet from the surface, but the deeper you dig, the more sour it becomes. Putting aside the fact that there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of adrenal fatigue (the separate rare condition called adrenal insufficiency is typically caused by an autoimmune disorder and needs to be diagnosed by a doctor), solutions claiming to lower cortisol levels, including the 'Cortisol Cocktail', are flawed from the get-go. The very premise they lie on is a myth: Cortisol isn't the culprit, it's merely the conveyor belt. High cortisol levels at night, for example, can make it harder for you to fall asleep. But the unusual increase would be in response to a stressor, say, dinner an hour or two earlier with your difficult in-laws. Deal with the stressor, not the natural response to the stressor. 'Changing your cortisol [levels] artificially doesn't work, and [it's] not the reason for the weight gain or the cause of the stress,' says University of Melbourne Professor of Endocrinology Ada Cheung, who is also an endocrinologist. 'The external cause of the stress is what we should be targeting, not the cortisol levels.'
