Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to stress. In addition to its function in a stress response, it functions in negative feedback by

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Cortisol, a steroid hormone, plays a key role in the body's stress response but also helps regulate various bodily functions. It operates within a negative feedback loop to maintain homeostasis. When cortisol levels rise, it inhibits the hypothalamus from releasing corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and the anterior pituitary gland from secreting adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), effectively reducing its own production by acting on both the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. This mechanism ensures that cortisol levels within the bloodstream do not become excessively high, illustrating the body's ability to self-regulate critical hormone levels.

Cortisol Is Secreted by the Adrenal Cortex in Response to Stress