7 Signs You’re Stuck in a Cortisol Loop (High Cortisol, Low Cortisol, Chronic Stress)

7 Signs You’re Stuck in a Cortisol Loop (High Cortisol, Low Cortisol, Chronic Stress)

Author: Dr. Taz MD March 17, 2026 Duration: 32:11

What if your fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, and belly fat are actually signs of high cortisol, low cortisol, or chronic stress building up over time? In this episode, Dr. Taz explains how your cortisol levels shift and why learning how to lower cortisol levels starts with understanding the pattern your body is stuck in.

If you’re dealing with chronic stress, fatigue, or hormone imbalances and want to address the root cause, join the Circle and get support here:
👉 https://holplus.co/circle


Chronic stress often shows up as adrenal fatigue and hormone imbalances.

Learn more about conditions related to cortisol imbalance:

In this episode, Dr. Taz breaks down what she calls the cortisol loop - a chronic stress cycle where your body goes from high cortisol to low cortisol, leaving you feeling wired, exhausted, and unable to recover. You’ll learn how this loop affects your nervous system, hormones, gut health, and long-term well-being, even when your labs appear “normal.”

If you’ve been feeling off and can’t explain why, this may be the missing piece.

In this video, we cover:

  • What the cortisol loop actually is
  • The difference between high cortisol and low cortisol
  • How chronic stress keeps your body stuck in the cycle
  • 7 key signs your body is dysregulated
  • Why your symptoms aren’t random
  • Where to start to begin breaking the loop

This is not just about stress. It’s about understanding the cycle your body has been stuck in.


Stay Connected:

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.


Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/


Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcasts


Get your copy of The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Chapters

00:00 High Cortisol or Low Cortisol? Understanding the Cortisol Loop
00:50 What Is the Cortisol Loop? Chronic Stress Explained
01:42 Normal Labs but Still Feeling Bad? Cortisol Levels Explained
02:55 Acute vs Chronic Stress and Cortisol Response
05:00 High Cortisol Symptoms and Effects on the Body
06:50 Low Cortisol Symptoms: Burnout and Fatigue Explained
07:42 Chronic Stress, Cortisol Imbalance, and Disease Risk
09:29 Cortisol, Brain Health, and Inflammation
11:30 Cortisol in Women vs Men (Hormones and Stress Response)
14:20 Chronic Stress in Modern Life (Why It’s Getting Worse)
15:20 7 Signs of High Cortisol and Low Cortisol
17:10 Fatigue, Brain Fog, Belly Fat (Cortisol Symptoms)
18:08 How to Test Cortisol Levels (Blood Sugar, HRV, Sleep)
20:05 Nervous System Regulation and the Cortisol Loop
21:25 How to Lower Cortisol Levels Naturally
22:12 Gut Health, Diet, and Blood Sugar Stability
23:45 Best Supplements for Cortisol (Magnesium, B Vitamins, Omega-3)
25:35 Daily Habits to Reduce Cortisol and Stress
27:10 Chronic Stress, Environment, and Relationships
28:55 How to Break the Cortisol Loop (Step-by-Step)
30:37 Final Thoughts on Chronic Stress and Cortisol Recovery


Tune into hol+ with Dr. Taz MD | The Future of Medicine is Holistic for a conversation that moves beyond conventional wellness talk. Hosted by Dr. Taz MD, this podcast operates from a simple yet profound premise: true health isn't found in a single pill or diagnosis, but in the intricate connection between our biology, our lifestyle, and our emotional world. Each episode builds on the idea that modern science and functional medicine don't have to exist in opposition to ancient healing wisdom or the importance of spiritual well-being. Instead, they can be woven together into a practical, personalized approach to caring for the whole person. You'll hear discussions that tackle how these interconnected systems directly influence not just physical symptoms, but also our mental clarity, capacity for joy, the quality of our relationships, and the health of our entire family unit. As a 2025 Webby honoree, this series has established itself as a pioneering voice, daring to explore where evidence-based research and a more expansive view of human potential meet. Recent episodes have featured leading voices in mental health, among other fields, providing actionable insights. If you're looking for a healthcare dialogue that respects the data while honoring the complexity of the human experience, this is the podcast for you.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

hol+ with Dr. Taz MD | The Future of Medicine is Holistic
Podcast Episodes
The Sixth Stage of Grief with David Kessler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:21
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcastsIn this episode, Dr. Taz sits down for an impactful conversation with David Kessler, a leading expert on grief and loss, who has worked closely wit…
GLP-1 Medications: Are They the Answer? with Dr. Taz MD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:21
Watch hol+ by Dr. Taz MD on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcastsAre you looking to proactively address metabolic disruptions and create a healthier lifestyle? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz MD explores th…
The Real Story on Breast Cancer with Dr. Kristi Funk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:20
Watch hol+ by Dr. Taz MD on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcastsThe incidence of breast cancer is rising and has now surpassed lung cancer as the leading cancer worldwide. This script features a comprehensi…
Why hol+? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:46
Watch hol+ by Dr. Taz MD on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrTazMD/podcastsIn this premiere episode of hol+ by Dr. Taz MD, Dr. Taz explores the gap between conventional medicine and holistic health and wellness. She s…
Introducing hol+ by Dr. Taz MD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35
Welcome to hol+, the podcast where science meets spirit. I’m your host, Dr. Taz, a double board-certified medical doctor, integrative health expert, nutritionist, acupuncturist and founder and CEO of hol+. This show empo…
Ep. 10 - "Stronger Together" with Michelle Jacobs + Sally Mueller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:58
This special BONUS EPISODE, entitled Stronger Together, is the epilogue to our special nine-part series. It’s a closing conversation where our hosts Julie Flakstad & Dr. Taz Bhatia welcomed Womaness co-founders, Sally Mu…
Ep 9 “Connect The Dots” with Sara Blakely [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:52
This is episode (9) of our special nine-part series entitled Connect The Dots. Our hosts Julie Flakstad & Dr. Taz Bhatia welcome serial entrepreneur, visionary and dedicated philanthropist Sara Blakely. As the founder of…
Ep. 8 - "It's Not Too Late" with Gabby Reece [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:06
This is episode (8) of our special nine-part series entitled It’s Not Too Late. Our hosts Julie Flakstad & Dr. Taz Bhatia, welcome Gabby Reece - volleyball legend, inspirational health and fitness leader, podcast host, c…