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Cortisol and Sleep
07/27/2025

You might not feel sleep-deprived, but your brain does. New research shows elevated nighttime cortisol can silently sabotage your deep sleep—even when you think you're getting rest.

What the research investigated: The relationship between cortisol levels during sleep and sleep quality in menopausal women, with an emphasis on sleep structure rather than subjective insomnia.

Study design: An observational study measuring overnight cortisol levels and detailed sleep architecture (via polysomnography) in menopausal women. Participants provided self-reported sleep quality assessments alongside biological data.

Key findings:

  • Higher overnight cortisol levels were linked to objective sleep disturbances (e.g., reduced slow-wave and REM sleep).
  • No significant relationship was found between cortisol and self-reported insomnia or daytime sleepiness.
  • Suggests that elevated cortisol in menopause disrupts sleep quality even when symptoms aren’t perceptible—underscoring a hidden impact of hormonal stress.

🔗 Read more about the study methods and outcomes here.