Cortisol
A steroid hormone released during stress that mobilizes energy reserves and suppresses non-essential functions. The body's primary long-term stress hormone.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 4 chapters:
"...truth that biology teaches us: more data doesn't help. E. coli has 5 chemoreceptor types, not 500. Your cells have specialized receptors for insulin, cortisol, and a few dozen other critical molecules - not every molecule in the bloodstream. Evolution didn't favor organisms that sensed everything."
"...dy through precisely timed signals: Hormones pulse on schedule.** At 8:00 AM, the SCN signals your adrenal glands to flood your bloodstream with cortisol - the "wakefulness hormone" that peaks at 150-200 ng/mL (compared to midnight's 50 ng/mL). Cortisol increases blood glucose, suppresses inflammation,..."
"...inant rhesus macaque monopolizes 75% of mating opportunities through aggression and intimidation. Subordinates show chronic stress responses—elevated cortisol, suppressed immune function, reduced fertility. The alpha's reproductive success comes at the cost of group fitness. But despotism has costs for the..."
"...tionship Repair Timing (The Critical Window) Biological Foundation: Primate reconciliation timing is critical. Conflicts create stress hormones (cortisol) in both aggressor and victim. If reconciliation occurs within minutes, stress dissipates and relationship restores."
Biological Context
Cortisol releases glucose from storage, suppresses immune function, and affects memory formation. Unlike adrenaline (acute), cortisol handles sustained stress. Chronically elevated cortisol causes muscle wasting, immune suppression, and cognitive impairment. Cortisol also follows a daily rhythm, peaking in morning.
Business Application
Organizational cortisol: the chronic stress signals—persistent uncertainty, ongoing cost-cutting, sustained crisis mode. High organizational cortisol degrades long-term capabilities while providing short-term energy.