492 - Do You Have High Cortisol? 5 Signs and What's Actually Going On
Summary
Michelle Grosser explains that cortisol is not inherently toxic but functions as a natural daily curve that often flattens or shifts due to chronic stress. She identifies five key signs of dysregulation, including reversed energy patterns, afternoon crashes, stubborn midsection weight, weakened immunity, and feeling calm only when completely depleted. The episode clarifies that these symptoms stem from a nervous system stuck in a low-grade survival mode rather than occasional spikes. Grosser advises listeners to begin tracking their personal energy rhythms to identify when their cortisol pe…
Topics discussed
Introduction: Nervous system patterns vs. personality
The five capacity patterns and free quiz
Welcome to High Capacity and show overview
Defending cortisol: The natural daily curve
How chronic stress shifts the cortisol rhythm
Sign 1: Wired at night, tired in the morning
Sign 2: The afternoon crash and caffeine loop
Sign 3: Stubborn weight and cortisol belly
Mechanism: Perceived threats and failed recovery
Sign 4: Suppressed immune function
Sign 5: Feeling calm only when depleted
Recap and the path to resetting your curve
Outro and call to action
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