Lowering Cortisol with Supplements

Peter Michiels
2026-01-20T13:38:29+01:00

You turn over in bed for the third time. Your body feels tired, but your mind is racing. During the day, you're running on fumes, but at night, you can't rest. It could be that your cortisol level is too high. Discover which supplements, such as ashwagandha and magnesium, are scientifically proven to help regulate cortisol, and why sleep plays a crucial role.

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What is cortisol and why does it have such an impact?

Yes, cortisol is essential, but too much of it erodes your resilience. Cortisol is the hormone your body produces when you are under pressure. It is produced in your adrenal glands and allows you to react quickly to danger. Your blood sugar rises, your focus sharpens, and your body is ready for action.

That system works perfectly for short moments of acute stress. A presentation, a deadline, a conflict. Your cortisol level peaks, you take action, it drops again. But if that stress persists for weeks or months, your cortisol level remains too high.

Your body interprets deadlines, anxious thoughts, and poor sleep as a continuous threat. The difference between an acute danger and chronic busyness blurs. Your stress system is permanently "on," which has biological consequences. Too much cortisol for an extended period affects your sleep, makes weight management more difficult, and shortens your temper.

How do you know if your cortisol is too high?

You can notice an elevated cortisol level in several ways:

Weight gain around your waist

Too much cortisol activates fat storage, especially around your abdomen. You don't necessarily eat more, but your body stores fat more easily. Research shows that chronic stress increases the preference for high-calorie foods and stimulates abdominal fat storage by 40-60%.¹ It's not just about your appearance; belly fat produces inflammatory substances that further compromise your health.

Your sleep doesn't hold up

Your cortisol level should drop in the evening so you can fall asleep. With chronic stress, it remains too high, keeping your body alert. You find it difficult to fall asleep, wake up frequently between 2 and 4 AM, or lie awake worrying while your body feels exhausted. The problem: poor sleep further increases your cortisol the next day. A vicious cycle.

Irritability and a shorter fuse

Chronically elevated cortisol affects your neurotransmitters and can lead to anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. Small things annoy you, and your reactions get out of proportion faster. You no longer recognize yourself in how quickly you become irritated.

Constant fatigue despite rest

Even after eight hours in bed, you feel exhausted. Your cortisol rhythm is disrupted—it no longer peaks in the morning to wake you up but stays at a moderately high level throughout the day. That makes you simultaneously tired and alert, an exhausting combination that depletes your energy reserves.

Higher blood pressure and heart palpitations

Cortisol increases your blood pressure as part of the stress response. In short-term stress, this is not a problem. If it persists for too long, it can contribute to structurally elevated blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.²

Which supplements help lower cortisol?

Ashwagandha: The most researched adaptogen

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps your body adapt to stress, with solid scientific evidence. In a randomized, double-blind study with 64 participants, daily use of ashwagandha decreased cortisol by an average of 27.9% after 60 days.³ Participants also reported significantly less anxiety and better sleep quality.

Ashwagandha works by regulating your HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) – the system that controls your stress response. It dampens overactive stress signals without suppressing your alertness. You react more calmly to stressors, without becoming dulled.

The active compounds are withanolides, with KSM-66® being the most researched extract. The effective dosage is between 300-600mg per day. Important: ashwagandha needs time to work. Expect 4-8 weeks before you notice a significant effect.

Metis Anti-Stress 03 contains a clinically substantiated dosage of ashwagandha (KSM-66®) combined with magnesium. This combination works on two fronts: ashwagandha centrally regulates your stress response, and magnesium supports your nervous system and muscles.

Magnesium: The foundation for stress resilience

Magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating your stress response and nervous system. It helps calm your nerves and supports communication between your brain and adrenal glands. Research indicates that magnesium supplementation can contribute to better stress resilience and healthier cortisol levels.⁴

Under stress, your body uses more magnesium, precisely when you need it most. A vicious cycle: stress depletes magnesium, and magnesium deficiency makes you more susceptible to stress. You can find magnesium in green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. But during periods of increased stress, you need more than you get through food.

Not all forms of magnesium work equally well. Magnesium bisglycinate has the highest bioavailability and is gentle on your digestive system. The effective dosage is between 200-400mg per day, preferably taken in the evening as it also supports your sleep.

Metis Essentials Magnesium contains magnesium bisglycinate in a dosage that can strengthen your stress resilience without burdening your digestion. For people who also want to protect their energy levels, Metis Energy 06 combines magnesium with B vitamins.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Dampening inflammation

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA from fatty fish, have anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic stress causes low-grade inflammation in your body—your immune system is permanently on high alert. Omega-3 can dampen this inflammatory response and thereby support a healthier stress response.⁵

A study on medical students showed that omega-3 supplementation reduced anxiety by 20% and significantly lowered inflammatory markers.⁶ The effective dosage is between 1000-2000mg EPA+DHA per day. You can find omega-3 in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring—two to three servings per week. Supplements can be useful if you eat little fish.

Vitamin C: Protecting your adrenal glands

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and supports your adrenal glands, which produce cortisol. Under stress, your body uses more vitamin C. Supplementation can help maintain your reserves and supports a healthy stress response. The effective dosage is between 500-1000mg per day, divided over several moments for better absorption.

Why sleep is crucial for cortisol regulation

Sleep is not only a consequence of too much cortisol but also a cause. Your cortisol level follows a natural rhythm: it peaks in the morning to wake you up and gradually decreases throughout the day. In the evening, it is low enough to allow you to fall asleep. Sleep deprivation disrupts this rhythm.

Research shows that even one night of poor sleep already increases your cortisol level the next day.⁸ Chronic sleep deprivation leads to structurally higher cortisol levels, which in turn further worsens your sleep. It is a biological vicious cycle that systematically undermines your resilience.

Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. That might sound like a luxury, but it's protection. Create a calming sleep environment: dark (use blackout curtains), cool (16-19°C is ideal), and quiet. Keep your sleep and wake times consistent, even on weekends. Avoid screens at least an hour before you go to sleep; blue light suppresses your melatonin production.

Your evening ritual determines how quickly your cortisol level drops. Intense exercise, stressful conversations, or working late keep your cortisol artificially high. In the evening, opt for calm activities: reading, a warm bath, light stretching. Breathing exercises can also help; slow, deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system and helps lower your cortisol faster.

Other effective strategies besides supplements

Nutrition plays an important role – blood sugar fluctuations trigger cortisol production. When your blood sugar drops quickly (after a sugar spike), your body responds with cortisol to stabilize your blood sugar. Choose meals with enough protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. This keeps your blood sugar stable and prevents unnecessary cortisol spikes.

Avoid excessive caffeine, especially after noon. Caffeine stimulates your adrenal glands to produce cortisol. One or two cups of coffee in the morning are not a problem for most people, but four espressos spread throughout the day keep your cortisol unnecessarily high.

Breathing techniques can directly influence your nervous system. Slow, deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system (your 'rest-and-restore' system) and inhibits your sympathetic system (your 'fight-or-flight' response). Even five minutes of conscious breathing can noticeably lower your cortisol level. For example, try: inhaling for four counts through your nose, holding for seven counts, exhaling for eight counts through your mouth. Repeat this for 5-10 cycles.

Regular exercise helps, but dose wisely. Intense training temporarily increases your cortisol; that's part of it and is not harmful. But with chronic stress, too much intensive exercise can be counterproductive. Your body perceives intense training as additional stress on top of your already high baseline. Walking, yoga, swimming, or cycling at a moderate pace can be more effective in structurally lowering your stress level.

Do you want to know what other methods help lower cortisol? Then read our overview of how to lower cortisol.

Frequently asked questions about cortisol and supplements

How long does it take for supplements to lower your cortisol?

Ashwagandha shows effects after 4-8 weeks of daily use, with most studies showing significantly lower cortisol levels after 60 days. Magnesium works faster on your nervous system; within a few days, you often notice a difference in sleep quality and calmness. For structural cortisol regulation, however, expect 4-6 weeks of consistent use. Omega-3 has a longer build-up time of 8-12 weeks. Patience is essential; these are not acute interventions but long-term support.

Can supplements make your cortisol too low?

At normal dosages, this is highly unlikely. Ashwagandha and magnesium regulate cortisol; they do not completely suppress it as corticosteroid medications can. Your body maintains its natural rhythm and stress response. However, it is important to use supplements according to the recommended dosage and consult your doctor if you are taking medication for your adrenal glands or thyroid.

What is the best time to take magnesium for cortisol?

In the evening, 1-2 hours before bedtime. Magnesium helps calm your nervous system and supports the natural decrease of cortisol towards the evening. This perfectly aligns with your biological rhythm and also improves your sleep quality. If magnesium causes stomach upset on an empty stomach, take it after your evening meal.

Can you measure cortisol at home?

Yes, through saliva tests that you can order online from specialized laboratories. Preferably measure at 4 times: immediately after waking up (within 30 minutes), before noon (around 12:00), late afternoon (around 17:00), and before sleeping (around 23:00). This way, you see your complete cortisol rhythm. Note: a single measurement says little. It's about the pattern over the day and preferably measured over several days.

Can you combine ashwagandha and magnesium?

Yes, in fact, this combination often works better than each supplement alone. Ashwagandha regulates your central stress response (your HPA axis), while magnesium supports your nervous system and muscles. They have different mechanisms of action that complement each other. Pay attention to timing: ashwagandha can be taken both in the morning and evening, magnesium preferably in the evening to support your sleep.

Protect your foundation

An elevated cortisol level is a biological reaction to sustained pressure. Your body does what it thinks it needs to protect you. The problem is that our modern life triggers stress that was biologically intended for acute threats, not for chronic tension.

Supplements like ashwagandha and magnesium can support your body in regulating cortisol. They act as reinforcement for your natural resilience during periods when you are under extra pressure. Science shows that these supplements are effective, provided you use them consistently and combine them with a healthy lifestyle.

Combine supplements with enough sleep, conscious breathing, and sufficient exercise. Not being overwhelmed during busy times starts with recognizing that your body is sending signals, and acting on them.