HealthJuly 10, 2026
cortisol
/ˈkɔːrtɪˌsɒl/
Definition
A steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is released in response to physical or psychological stress.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'cortex' (meaning bark or outer layer, referring to the adrenal cortex where the hormone is produced) combined with the chemical suffix '-ol' indicating an alcohol or steroid.
In the news
The article references cortisol in the context of physiological stress responses, implying that extreme heat may trigger biological mechanisms—like elevated stress hormones—that contribute to increased mental health hospitalizations.
Mental health hospitalizations associated with sustained extreme heat in multiple countries
Read the full article ↗Nature