Cortisol

Meta-analysis or review · 10 studies linked

Studied in: Stressed healthy adults, Athletes, Overweight aging males, Predominantly Indian cohorts

• Dual impact of Ashwagandha: Significant cortisol reduction but no effects on perceived stress - A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2025)
• Hormonal Modulation with Withania somnifera: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-controlled Trials. (2026)
• Effects of (2023)
• A New Ashwagandha Formulation (Zenroot™) Alleviates Stress and Anxiety Symptoms While Improving Mood and Sleep Quality: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. (2025)
• The role of Ashwagandha in modulating gut parameters in dogs-a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. (2024)
• A blend of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal root and Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench fruit extracts relieves constipation and improves bowel function: A proof-of-concept clinical investigation. (2024)
• +4 more studies

Meta-analysis or review · 6 studies linked

Studied in: Athletes, High physical stress, Icu patients

• Vitamin C supplementation alleviates hypercortisolemia caused by chronic stress. (2024)
• Vitamin C and IL-6 in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes compared to normal pregnant women - a case-control study. (2021)
• Prophylactic effects of dietary ascorbic acid on oxidative stress indices, physiological and behavioural responses of domestic pigeons exposed to road transport stress. (2021)
• Effect of vitamin C and vitamin E on lung contusion: A randomized clinical trial study. (2018)
• The influence of vitamin C on the interaction between acute mental stress and endothelial function. (2017)
• Effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle soreness, and strength following acute exercise: meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. (2020)

Human trials · Small effect · 4 studies linked

Studied in: Stressed adults, Athletes

Limited RCT data; Mg may attenuate stress-induced cortisol elevation via HPA axis modulation; high-dose Mg in exercise context shows some attenuation of post-exercise cortisol; evidence base insufficient for Grade B at this pass

• Use of a combination of dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate as a multimodal approach to the treatment of alcoholic delirium. (2022)
• Long-term magnesium supplementation improves glucocorticoid metabolism: A post-hoc analysis of an intervention trial. (2021)
• Utilization of Magnesium in Opioid-Free Anesthesia for Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy: A Case Report. (2021)
• The influence of a magnesium-rich marine extract on behaviour, salivary cortisol levels and skin lesions in growing pigs. (2013)

Human trials · 3 studies linked

13 studies; exercise studies sometimes report cortisol but dedicated effect data not available.

• [Using L-carnitine to improve the adaptation of young athletes to physical load and the correction of stress-induced cardiomyopathy]. (2014)
• The influence of taurine and L-carnitine on 6 β-hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio in human urine of healthy volunteers. (2019)
• Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on physical performance and energy metabolism of endurance-trained athletes: a double-blind crossover field study. (1996)

Human trials · 3 studies linked

Studied in: General

12 corpus studies. CYP2E1 interaction entry (PGX-018) and PK study (Lunde-Young 2018) are relevant contexts.

• Acute effects of energy drinks in medical students. (2017)
• Differential cognitive effects of energy drink ingredients: caffeine, taurine, and glucose. (2012)
• The influence of taurine and L-carnitine on 6 β-hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio in human urine of healthy volunteers. (2019)

Small effect · 2 studies linked

Studied in: Adults, Preoperative anxiety, ICU, Stress

Evening and peri-operative cortisol reduction consistent; morning cortisol unchanged or slightly elevated; high heterogeneity across contexts; most robust effect in preoperative melatonin administration (3-10 mg); anxiolytic mechanism contributes independently of HPA axis suppression

• study mel naguib2003 · not matched to a paper yet
• study mel nordlund2000 · not matched to a paper yet

Human trials · 1 study linked

3 studies; no meaningful cortisol effect data. No human hormonal endpoint RCT.

• Novel nutraceutical supplements with yeast β-glucan, prebiotics, minerals, and (2022)

Human trials · 1 study linked

Studied in: General adult, Healthy adult

• Sauna bathing is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality and improves risk prediction in men and women: a prospective cohort study. (2018)

Human trials · Small effect · 1 study linked

Studied in: PCOS, Female, Adult

• ma 001 · not matched to a paper yet

Human trials · 1 study linked

Studied in: Adults

12 corpus studies. No dedicated cortisol-endpoint RCT extracted.

• Effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation on digestive enzymes activities and serum biochemistry of rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>). (2023)

Meta-analysis or review · 11 studies linked

Studied in: Athlete, General adult, Healthy adults, Athletes

Cortisol not significantly modulated by creatine; HPA axis not a downstream target of PCr energy buffering

• Performance and muscle fiber adaptations to creatine supplementation and heavy resistance training. (1999)
• Effects of the combination of vitamins C and E supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle soreness, and muscle strength following acute physical exercise: meta-analyses of randomized co (2023)
• Effects of Pork Protein Ingestion Prior to and Following Performing the Army Combat Fitness Test on Markers of Catabolism, Inflammation, and Recovery. (2025)
• Supplementing With Which Form of Creatine (Hydrochloride or Monohydrate) Alongside Resistance Training Can Have More Impacts on Anabolic/Catabolic Hormones, Strength and Body Composition? (2024)
• Effects of photobiomodulation and deep water running in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. (2022)
• Physiological Effects of Nucleotide Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Stress in Men and Women. (2016)
• +5 more studies

Human trials · 5 studies linked

Studied in: Athletes, Adults, Exercise

chu_2016 MA on plasma/serum zinc during exercise recovery suggests zinc status interacts with exercise-induced cortisol response. At rest in healthy adults, zinc supplementation does not consistently alter basal cortisol. Limited evidence for HPA axis modulation.

• Plasma/Serum Zinc Status During Aerobic Exercise Recovery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2016)
• Protective effects of Allium hirtifolium extract against foodborne toxicity of Zinc oxide nanoparticles in Common carp (Cyprinus carpio). (2022)
• Effects of zinc, vitamin D, and their co-supplementation on mood, serum cortisol, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with obesity and mild to moderate depressive symptoms: A phase II, 1 (2020)
• Impact of Two Forms of Daily Preventive Zinc or Therapeutic Zinc Supplementation for Diarrhea on Hair Cortisol Concentrations Among Rural Laotian Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (2018)
• Aberrant cytokine secretion and zinc uptake in chronic cadmium-exposed lung epithelial cells. (2017)

Human trials · 1 study linked

• Evaluation of acute tryptophan depletion and sham depletion with a gelatin-based collagen peptide protein mixture. (2016)

1 study linked

Studied in: Sedentary adults, Young adults

• Heisz JJ,Tejada MGM,Paolucci EM,Muir C (2016)

Negligible effect · 1 study linked

Studied in: General adult

• Omega-3 fatty acids and anxiety: A systematic review of the possible mechanisms at play. (2020)

Lab or animal studies · 0 studies linked

This result is graded, but no study is linked to it yet. Treat it as unconfirmed.

Human trials · 7 studies linked

Studied in: Healthy adults, Acute stress context, Mixed sex, Australian cohort

white_2016 COI: multicomponent NeuroBliss® — L-theanine contribution to cortisol effect not isolatable. hidese_2019 COI: Taiyo Kagaku funded and company employees among authors.

• L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. (2007)
• Anti-Stress, Behavioural and Magnetoencephalography Effects of an L-Theanine-Based Nutrient Drink: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial. (2016)
• Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial (2019)
• Safety and Efficacy of AlphaWave (2024)
• A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Investigate the Efficacy of a Single Dose of AlphaWave (2021)
• Caffeine and theanine exert opposite effects on attention under emotional arousal. (2017)
• +1 more studies

Human trials · 1 study linked

Studied in: Adults overweight obese, Healthy adults

• Comparison of the effects of high-intensity interval and moderate-intensity continuous training on inflammatory markers, cardiorespiratory fitness, and quality of life in breast cancer patients. (2023)