How does cortisol affect your weight and energy levels?

Cortisol is a stress hormone that influences weight and energy in several ways. When chronically elevated, it increases appetite, particularly for high-calorie, sugary, and fatty foods, while also promoting fat storage especially in the abdominal area. It does this by raising blood sugar levels and increasing insulin resistance over time, which makes the body more prone to storing fat rather than burning it. For energy, cortisol provides a short-term boost by mobilizing glucose and fats for immediate use, which is useful in genuine emergencies. However, chronically high cortisol disrupts sleep, depletes muscle tissue for energy, and eventually leads to fatigue and burnout. Low cortisol, as seen in adrenal insufficiency, causes persistent exhaustion, low blood pressure, and difficulty maintaining energy throughout the day.