Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
In this episode, Greg and Lyndsey sit down for a discussion about cortisol with Beth Skwarecki, the senior health editor at Lifehacker. The dangers of high cortisol are a persistent topic of conversation in social media content, so the discussion focuses on the types of claims that are being made, the dubious methods of self-diagnosis and “treatment” being recommended, and the potential risks and dangers associated with letting social media convince you that you’re basically an endocrinologist.
You can read Beth’s article on this topic here: lifehacker.com/tiktok-myth-of-the-week-all-your-problems-are-due-to-h-1850963889
*TIME STAMPS*
00:02:52 What is cortisol?
00:18:44 'Normal' cortisol levels
00:33:56 Cortisol discourse on TikTok
00:47:48 Cortisol vs other social media trends
01:07:41 Cortisol and menstruation
01:11:32 Cortisol and trauma
01:15:55 Cortisol and exercise
01:38:30 Specific claims about high cortisol
01:45:39 Cortisol, caffeine and sleep
01:55:49 Real ways to regulate cortisol
02:03:08 Self-diagnosis
02:08:13 Takeaways
*SOURCES AND LINKS*
The full source list can be found here: strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-123
*RECOMMENDATIONS AND MORE FROM SBS*
Coaching: strongerbyscience.com/coaching
Bulksupplements.com: SBSPOD = 5% discount
MacroFactor nutrition app: macrofactorapp.com
MASS research review: massresearchreview.com
Stronger by Science Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/StrongerByScienceCommunity
Stronger by Science subreddit: reddit.com/r/StrongerByScience
Send your Q&A questions to podcast@strongerbyscience.com
In this episode, Greg and Lyndsey sit down for a discussion about cortisol with Beth Skwarecki, the senior health editor at Lifehacker. The dangers of high cortisol are a persistent topic of conversation in social media content, so the discussion focuses on the types of claims that are being made, the dubious methods of self-diagnosis and “treatment” being recommended, and the potential risks and dangers associated with letting social media convince you that you’re basically an endocrinologist.
You can read Beth’s article on this topic here: lifehacker.com/tiktok-myth-of-the-week-all-your-problems-are-due-to-h-1850963889
*TIME STAMPS*
00:02:52 What is cortisol?
00:18:44 'Normal' cortisol levels
00:33:56 Cortisol discourse on TikTok
00:47:48 Cortisol vs other social media trends
01:07:41 Cortisol and menstruation
01:11:32 Cortisol and trauma
01:15:55 Cortisol and exercise
01:38:30 Specific claims about high cortisol
01:45:39 Cortisol, caffeine and sleep
01:55:49 Real ways to regulate cortisol
02:03:08 Self-diagnosis
02:08:13 Takeaways
*SOURCES AND LINKS*
The full source list can be found here: strongerbyscience.com/podcast-episode-123
*RECOMMENDATIONS AND MORE FROM SBS*
Coaching: strongerbyscience.com/coaching
Bulksupplements.com: SBSPOD = 5% discount
MacroFactor nutrition app: macrofactorapp.com
MASS research review: massresearchreview.com
Stronger by Science Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/StrongerByScienceCommunity
Stronger by Science subreddit: reddit.com/r/StrongerByScience
Send your Q&A questions to podcast@strongerbyscience.com
