Topic: Cortisol

A report from a salon in Austin, Texas, suggests a significant cultural shift among liberal women, characterized by a decline in sexual activity and rising cancer rates. These health trends are attributed to increased cortisol levels, immune suppression, and the over-prescription of antidepressants, which are known to negatively impact libido. Local data indicates the birth rate in Austin has significantly decreased as a result of these social and medical factors.

Professor Larry Rosen discusses the psychological impact of smartphones, noting that the average adult spends over five hours a day on their device. He explains that constant phone use triggers the adrenal gland to release cortisol, leading to chronic anxiety and obsession. The hosts critique Rosen's advice for "tech breaks," suggesting that his own addiction prevents him from recommending more effective solutions like keeping the phone in a drawer.

A study led by David Putrino at Mount Sinai identified specific blood biomarkers in Long COVID patients, including 50% lower levels of cortisol and signs of T-cell exhaustion. The research also found the reactivation of dormant viruses like Epstein-Barr and herpes in those suffering from the condition. The study aims to provide a clinical basis for a condition that has largely been diagnosed through subjective symptoms like brain fog and fatigue.

A study from the Max Planck Institute suggests that stress is contagious and can be transmitted through television and observation of others. This phenomenon is linked to rising anxiety levels in children who are exposed to alarming climate change reporting in schools. The reporting suggests that teaching young children that the Earth is dying leads to significant psychological distress and resentment toward older generations.

Author Rolf Dobeli's 2010 essay "Avoid News: Towards a Healthy News Diet" argues that constant news consumption is toxic to the human body. Dobeli claims that sensationalist headlines trigger the limbic system and release cortisol, leading to chronic stress and impaired immunity. The essay further asserts that the modern news cycle is largely a product of the PR industry and lacks the rigorous fact-checking once associated with legacy publications like The New Yorker.