Which hormone is known as the stress hormone due to its role in the body’s response to stress?

Cortisol is often referred to as the "stress hormone" because it is a crucial component of the body's response to stress. When the body perceives stress, whether physical or emotional, the adrenal glands release cortisol as part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response. This hormone helps to manage stress by increasing glucose availability, enhancing energy production, and modulating various metabolic processes, thereby allowing the body to respond effectively to stressors.

Cortisol also plays a role in reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune response, which can be beneficial during acute stress situations. Its levels typically fluctuate throughout the day, usually peaking in the morning and declining throughout the day. This pattern helps regulate various bodily functions and contributes to maintaining homeostasis.

In contrast, while adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine are also involved in the stress response, they act more rapidly and are primarily responsible for the immediate "fight or flight" response. Adrenaline increases heart rate and blood flow to muscles, whereas norepinephrine influences functions such as attention and response actions.

Testosterone, though an important hormone for many physiological processes, does not primarily function in the stress response and is not characterized as a stress hormone. Hence