Adrenals 101

Feeling like stress has become the “new normal”? You’re not alone. Unfortunately, our bodies feel it too. Deep inside, two small but mighty glands are working around the clock to help us adapt, focus, and keep going: our adrenals.

These triangular-shaped glands sit right on top of our kidneys and have two distinct parts—an outer layer and an inner core. Each plays a specific role in regulating essential body functions like metabolism, immune response, blood pressure, and the way we adapt to stress.

Let’s break down what our adrenals do, explore the hormones cortisol and adrenaline, and look at simple ways to support our body’s natural ability to handle life’s daily demands.

Adrenals and Stress

Fun fact: the word ‘adrenal’ literally means, ‘on the kidneys’[1]. When we add an -ine ending, it indicates a substance produced by something. This means that adrenaline is literally a substance made by the thing on top of the kidneys[1].

Now, let’s talk about the hormones produced in the adrenal glands.

Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone”, is made in the outer layer of our adrenals. It is often seen as a bad thing because its levels tend to be higher during times of stress. But cortisol isn’t always bad.

Cortisol[2]:

• Helps turn food into energy
• Supports healthy inflammation
• Follows a natural daily rhythm, usually higher in the morning
• Where it is often seen as bad or harmful is when it comes to how it supports adrenaline during times of fight or flight.

In these moments, cortisol[2]:

• Increases energy during “Fight or Flight”
• Enhances adrenaline’s effect on body

During a moment of acute stress, this is very much a good thing. We need blood to go to our limbs and brain so we can fight or escape to save our lives. When these two actions are chronically on, it starts to create problems down the line. More on this later.

First, we need to talk about Adrenaline and what it does. Adrenaline is made in the inner core of the adrenal gland. Also known as epinephrine, adrenaline is released when the brain signals that there is danger. It floods our bodies and[3]:

• Increases heart rate and blood pressure
• Opens our airways
• Releases stored energy
• Increases alertness
• Redirects blood flow from most of our organs to our limbs and brain

These actions begin within minutes of the perceived threat and can last for up to an hour after the stressor has been removed. When the stressor remains persistent, the extended release of adrenaline can cause symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, or heart palpitations[3].

Acute vs. Chronic Stress

So, how do we know if we are experiencing acute or chronic stress? The differences lie in duration, physiological impact, and health consequences[4,5].

An example of acute stress may be that near-miss accident on our way to work. For chronic stress, it may be the pressures of deadlines or financial strain.

Regardless of how minor the stress may seem, it still activates the release of adrenaline and cortisol. This persistent low-grade stress and release of hormones may contribute to health concerns down the line[5].

Our modern lifestyle perpetuates this low-grade stress. We deal with a lot of work or financial pressures, our sleep may not be great, and we are constantly bombarded with digital stimulation. All these things, and others, may lead to the adrenals being overworked[5].

Signs the Adrenals May Need Support

So, how do we know if our adrenal glands need some support?

• Getting 7-9 hours of sleep, but still feeling tired
• Energy crashes in the early afternoon without stimulants
• Catching every cold or flu that comes around
• Increase in weight due to food cravings
• Experiencing more inflammation
• Mind wanders, stalls on simple tasks, or mood shifts unexpectedly

Adrenal Fatigue

Because many of the above symptoms mimic other disease states, “Adrenal Fatigue” is not a medically recognized diagnosis[6,7]. Our medical system discounts its validity because they have no way to measure or prove that the adrenal glands are under stress. They believe such a diagnosis oversimplifies the complexity of biology and they do not want to delay the diagnosis and treatment of a potentially underlying condition[7,9].

Very, very rare cases, like Addison’s disease or Cushing Syndrome[8], are the only adrenal diseases accepted at this time.

Natural Ways to Support Adrenal Health

What can we do to support our adrenals in the meantime[6,9,10,11]?

Lifestyle Habits

• Prioritize sleep: keep a consistent schedule and aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep
• Stress management: incorporate a practice of intentional mindfulness or stillness (meditation, tai chi, sensory deprivation tanks, etc)
• Limit or eliminate stimulants: caffeine, alcohol. Processed sugars also overstimulate the adrenals
• Stay hydrated: supports overall metabolic and hormone health
• Foster meaningful relationships: supports emotional stability

Foods to Support Adrenals

• Eat nutrient and mineral-rich foods
• Stabilize blood sugar: keep meals balanced with protein and fiber

Herbs for Everyday Stress

Adaptogens: herbs that support healthy stress adaptation

• Ashwagandha helps the body stay calm and steady during everyday stress. Found in our Master Tonic.
• Holy Basil supports mental clarity and helps you feel more centered on busy days. Found in our Relax and Renew tincture.
• Eleuthero supports natural energy and stamina so you can handle daily demands with more ease. Found in our Adaptogenic Immunity tincture.
• Schisandra helps the body adapt to everyday stress and supports balanced energy. Found in our Cocoa Calm.

While there are a lot of suggestions, it’s best to start slowly. It took time to put stress on the functioning of our adrenal glands, and it will take time to ease them out of it. Start with one change, practicing it for a few weeks before adding another.

Our adrenals do more than just help us respond to stress. They help us live in rhythm with our body and the world around us. When they’re overworked, they’re simply asking for what we all need: rest, nourishment, and a little more calm.

Supporting our adrenals isn’t about doing everything at once or chasing perfection. It’s about small, steady steps, like getting enough sleep, choosing real food, finding moments of stillness, and saying “no” when we need to. Over time, those gentle choices add up to real change.

Our body is built to adapt, to find balance, and to heal. When we give our adrenals the care they’ve been giving us all along, we’re not just easing stress, we’re creating space to truly thrive.

Disclaimer - This blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services and its statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider regarding a specific medical condition.

References:

[1] Aronson J. K. (2000). "Where name and image meet"--the argument for "adrenaline". BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 320(7233), 506–509. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.320.7233.506

[2] Cleveland Clinic. (2025, February 17). Cortisol: What it is, function, symptoms & levels. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol

[3] Cleveland Clinic. (2022, May 19). Adrenaline: Where the hormone is located & what it does. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23038-adrenaline

[4] ScienceDirect. (n.d.). Acute stress — an overview. In Topics in Immunology & Microbiology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/acute-stress

[5] Mariotti A. (2015). The effects of chronic stress on health: new insights into the molecular mechanisms of brain-body communication. Future science OA, 1(3), FSO23. https://doi.org/10.4155/fso.15.21

[6] Wilson JL. Clinical perspective on stress, cortisol and adrenal fatigue. Advances in Integrative Medicine, Volume 1, Issue 2, May 2014, Pages 93-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2014.05.002

[7] Cadegiani, F. A., & Kater, C. E. (2016). Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review. BMC endocrine disorders, 16(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4

[8] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Symptoms & causes of adrenal insufficiency & Addison’s disease. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/adrenal-insufficiency-addisons-disease/symptoms-causes

[9] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018, September). Eating, diet, & nutrition for adrenal insufficiency & Addison’s disease. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/adrenal-insufficiency-addisons-disease/eating-diet-nutrition

[10] Liao, L. Y., He, Y. F., Li, L., Meng, H., Dong, Y. M., Yi, F., & Xiao, P. G. (2018). A preliminary review of studies on adaptogens: comparison of their bioactivity in TCM with that of ginseng-like herbs used worldwide. Chinese medicine, 13, 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-018-0214-9

[11] TóthMészáros, A., & colleagues. (2023). The effect of adaptogenic plants on stress: A systematic review. Journal of Functional Foods, 108, 105695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2023.105695