The hormone cortisol is a very important hormone for regular function in humans and many other animals. Cortisol is a steroid hormone (a derivative of cholesterol).1 It is produced in the adrenal glands of the kidneys2 and is especially important when an individual faces a stressor.3 Unusually high or low concentrations of cortisol will almost certainly have an adverse effect on regular human function. In healthy humans, cortisol is at its highest concentration when an individual initially wakes up in the morning.3 (Some research suggests that cortisol concentration is actually lower in the mornings for extremely overweight/obese people, compared to those with a healthy BMI.)3 Thus, it can correctly be inferred that cortisol assists
