Cortisol and Memory

Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands during stress, influencing many body functions. When it comes to memory, moderate cortisol levels can enhance the encoding and recall of important information. However, prolonged or excessive cortisol production, often due to chronic stress, can impair the hippocampus—a key brain area involved in forming new memories—and reduce overall memory performance. Therefore, while short-term cortisol boosts can aid memory, chronic stress and high cortisol levels can be detrimental to cognitive function and memory retention over time.