What's the deal with cortisol?

What's the deal with cortisol?

July 9, 2026 · 56 min · Season 3 · Episode 23

About this episode

Emily and Perry discuss cortisol, its effects, and related health topics.

This week, Emily and Perry take on cortisol, the much-maligned stress hormone blamed for heart attacks and stubborn belly fat. But how much heat should cortisol really be getting? How do you know when yours is too high? Too low? Is it ever really worth measuring? And you guys, what did Mendelian randomization ever do to Emily?! Plus: the FDA signs off on ZYN pouches, explosive diarrhea in the Midwest, and apparently GLP-1s are really, really easy to get. Submit a question for our weekly mailbag at wellnessactually.fm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Emily Oster, Perry Wilson

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FDA

Products: ZYN pouches, GLP-1s

Places: Midwest

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