Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is made in the adrenal glands. Secretion of the hormone is controlled by hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenal gland. The hormone is linked to the stress response as it helps to regulate the body when under stress as it can have an influence on blood pressure, skin conditions such as psoriasis and vitiligo and the immune system, both high and low levels of stress or cortisol circulating can cause sleep deprivation and dramatic changes in mood such as depression it can also cause blood sugar imbalances such as hypoglycaemia and disruption in thyroid
