Struggling with Stress? Best Supplements to Reduce Cortisol Naturally

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What are the Best Supplements to Reduce Cortisol?

Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” plays a vital role in energy, metabolism, and immune function. But when cortisol levels stay too high or too low for too long, it can lead to chronic stress, inflammation, autoimmune flare-ups, sleep disturbances, and fatigue.

Many people ask: What are the best supplements to reduce cortisol naturally? Among the most researched and widely used are L-Theanine and adrenal adaptogens. While both can help, they work in very different ways. In this article, we’ll explore how relaxation techniques, nutraceutical-quality supplements, and these two best supplements for cortisol restore balance.

 

 

👇 symptoms that indicate cortisol (stress hormone) levels are off 👇

 

 

Cortisol and the Importance of Relaxation Techniques

Cortisol can get disrupted and stuck in stress mode, leading to a long list of health issues.

It is vital to engage in daily relaxation activities like:

• Yoga
• Tai Chi
• Meditation
• Repetitive prayer
• Deep breathing exercises
• Progressive muscle relaxation

The science is precise — it’s the daily consistency with these relaxation techniques that provides you with the most benefits. However, 5 minutes, 3 times a week, is so much better than nothing at all.

These relaxation activities help create calm in the body and regulate cortisol levels, bringing them down if they are too high and up if they are too low.

Remember, when it comes to cortisol, there is a sweet spot right in the middle. Just like with blood pressure or blood sugar, you don’t want to be too high or too low. Shifting from a “stuck in the stress mode” to the relaxation mode.

Relaxation techniques also have a profound impact on optimizing epigenetics by silencing detrimental genes and activating beneficial ones in every cell of the body.

Harvard conducted a study that documented how meditation, even just 3-5 times a week, optimizes epigenetics. The researchers rechecked epigenetics after only eight weeks of teaching people how to do meditation.

Researchers found the meditators were already flipping hundreds of genes after just 8 weeks and stated this is exactly what you want to do to treat and prevent all types of autoimmune and chronic disease.

Addressing Physical Stress

In addition to relaxation techniques, it is essential to address the physical stressors causing cortisol imbalances.

These can include:

• infections
• vitamin deficiencies
• hormone imbalances
• gut disruptions
• food sensitivities.

Addressing these factors can also help balance cortisol to move from stress mode to relaxation mode.

Why Supplement Quality Matters

Not all supplements to reduce cortisol levels are created equal. Over-the-counter products can be inconsistent in dosage and sometimes contain contaminants or fillers. Unlike prescription medications, supplements are not always regulated for purity. That’s why nutraceutical-grade supplements are recommended.

Nutraceutical-grade supplements are made by companies that subject their products to rigorous independent testing to ensure purity, effectiveness, and accurate labeling before they’re released to the public.

This ensures your body is getting exactly what it is expecting and nothing hidden or harmful.

All of the supplements to lower cortisol in my store are nutraceutical-grade, including the ones we are going to address next.

Supplements to Reduce Cortisol : 

L-Theanine: For Immediate Calm

L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that promotes relaxation and calmness by increasing the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Excellent for providing almost immediate relief from anxiety, stress, or disturbed sleep. 

The Science of L-Theanine:

L-Theanine works by increasing the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the calming neurotransmitter, and serotonin, the “feel good” neurotransmitter, which promotes a calm and relaxed state.

Amino acids play a crucial role in our body’s functions. They are the building blocks of proteins, which are then broken down into individual amino acids. These amino acids have various functions, including forming neurotransmitters, hormones, cell walls, and enzymes. Having the right balance of amino acids is essential for our overall health.

L-Theanine Benefits

When your body is under chronic stress,  it can be difficult for you to create a sense of calm. By supplementing with L-Theanine, you can help restore calmness to your body, which is crucial for healing and well-being. 

Here are some situations where L-Theanine can be among the best supplements to reduce cortisol:

Anxiety and stress:

L-Theanine is often chosen for its ability to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety without causing drowsiness, making it suitable if you need to stay alert and focused during the day.

Sleep support:

Though non-sedating, L-Theanine can help improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which can make it easier to fall asleep, stay asleep, and get back to sleep (you can take it if you wake up in the middle of the night).

Cognitive function:

L-Theanine is known for its ability to improve focus, attention, and mental clarity, making it useful if you want to enhance your cognitive performance.                                                                        

About L-Theanine Cortisol Assist

L-Theanine – Cortisol Assist is a concentrated amino acid supplement specifically designed to help the body manage stress, encourage relaxation, and maintain mental clarity. Sourced from high-quality L-Theanine, this formula provides targeted support for stress hormone regulation, cognitive balance, and overall nervous system health—without causing sedation.

The ingredient profile of this best cortisol supplement consists of L-Theanine (200 mg per capsule), a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea. L-Theanine is well recognized for its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and promote alpha brain wave activity. L-Theanine helps modulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which play critical roles in stress response, mood balance, and relaxation. Unlike many calming agents, L-Theanine does not cause drowsiness, making it suitable for daytime use.

Rice Flour:
Used as a natural filler to ensure capsule consistency and stability. Rice flour is hypoallergenic and supports clean formulation without unnecessary additives.

HPMC (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose):
A plant-based material is used to create the vegetarian capsule shell, making this product suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC):
A natural fiber derived from plant cell walls, MCC helps maintain capsule integrity, flowability, and uniform distribution of the active ingredient.

Ascorbyl Palmitate:
A fat-soluble form of vitamin C, this compound is included as an antioxidant to stabilize the formulation and protect against oxidative degradation.

Silica:
Added in trace amounts to act as a natural flow agent, preventing clumping and ensuring the supplement remains consistent in quality.

L-Theanine Dosing Suggestions:

• You can take one L-Theanine in the morning, two at bedtime, or even one capsule every three to four hours as needed.
• For adults, it’s recommended not to exceed six capsules per day unless directed by your physician.

However, if you don’t notice any improvement in your sense of calm after taking L-Theanine, there may likely be another cause for your symptoms. Over time, as you cultivate calmness in your body, you may find that you no longer need to rely on L-Theanine supplements as much.

Why prefer it over medication

L-Theanine is the best cortisol supplement for managing stress, anxiety, and sleep issues. It can help you feel calmer and more relaxed, without the need for prescription medication. Medications such as Xanax and almost every other medicine that is used to treat insomnia will actually disrupt our sleep quality.

Ambien is also a classic example of this. We want both sleep quantity and sleep quality. These medicines may help with the amount of sleep, but they actually worsen sleep quality. So if you’re looking for a natural way to create calm in your life, give L-Theanine a try. 

Adrenal Adaptogens: For Long-Term Reset

For individuals in their mid-teens or older, adrenal adaptogens are often necessary to help rebalance cortisol levels. A saliva cortisol test can determine if your cortisol levels are high or low. But, even without a saliva test, cortisol is always disrupted and needs to be reset whenever someone has a chronic health issue.

If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s a good guess that adrenal adaptogens can help balance your cortisol levels by bringing them down if they’re high and raising them if they’re low.

This allows your cortisol rhythm to return to normal, ensuring your body is in a position to support the other areas of healing needed to reverse and prevent all autoimmune and chronic disease.  It will also give you a good night’s sleep and a refreshed start in the morning!

 

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Understanding Cortisol, DHEA, and the “Running from a Bear” Analogy, and why Adrenal Extracts Can Be Counterproductive to Reducing Cortisol

Cortisol can get stuck in the stress mode (fight or flight mode) and cause another important adrenal hormone, DHEA, to rise.

DHEA helps prevent heart attacks, strokes, keeps away joint pain, and prevents osteoporosis. However, DHEA cannot sustain high levels forever, and when it crashes, cortisol can start to decrease as well, leading to various health issues.

Imagine you’re running from a bear 24/7 – that’s what being stuck in stress mode feels like.

Your body needs DHEA to prevent heart attacks, strokes, brain fog, osteoporosis, and joint pain while you’re “running” from the bear. It’s so smart, it’s designed not to give out when it’s on high alert, “running from a bear”. However, when DHEA crashes, you feel worse, and cortisol levels start to become a ticking time bomb for serious health issues.

In some cases, adrenal extracts may seem like a solution for low cortisol levels.

However, using adrenal extracts can be counterproductive. We now know that a brain that “is on fire” will force cortisol to go low as a last-ditch effort to protect itself from the chronic infections that are killing it.

Remember, when cortisol goes high, it suppresses the immune system, allowing the infections that drive chronic disease to get into the body or activate if they are already there (such as Epstein-Barr Virus). By forcing cortisol to go low, the brain is trying to give our immune systems a chance to wake up and go after these infections, finally.

Instead, using adrenal adaptogens and relaxation techniques can help reset cortisol levels, no matter if they are high or low, or a combination of both. While you are getting rid of the infections at the same time by using pH Structured Silver Solution.

What are adrenal adaptogen supplements?   

Adaptogens are a class of herbs and plants that help the body adapt to stress and maintain homeostasis. Some common adaptogens include Rhodiola Rosea and Panax Ginseng. 

Adrenal adaptogen supplements to lower cortisol usually feature a mix of herbs that work by:

• Supporting the adrenal glands in producing an optimal balance of stress hormones
• Modulating the body’s stress response, helping to prevent excessive or chronic stress
• Enhancing energy levels, reducing fatigue, and improving overall well-being

Here are some situations where you might want to us Adrenal adaptogen supplements to reduce cortisol:

• Chronic stress:
  If you are dealing with ongoing stress, adrenal adaptogens may help support the body’s stress response and prevent burnout.
• Fatigue:
  Adaptogens are recognized for their ability to enhance energy levels and alleviate fatigue, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals with demanding lifestyles or those experiencing low energy.
• Hormonal imbalances:
  Since adaptogens help regulate the production of stress hormones, they can be useful if you are experiencing hormonal imbalances related to stress, such as adrenal fatigue or insufficiency.Cortisol Levels Reset Adrenal adaptogen available on our website, help cortisol find calm and facilitate healing.

About Cortisol Levels Reset

Cortisol Levels Reset is a concentrated adrenal adaptogen and vitamin formula specifically designed to help the body correct stress hormone imbalances and restore natural healing rhythms. This unique supplement combines standardized herbal extracts with targeted B vitamins, working together to support adrenal health and reduce the negative impact of chronic stress on the body.

Each capsule features a carefully balanced blend of three clinically recognized adaptogens: Cordyceps sinensis, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and Rhodiola rosea. Cordyceps provides 400 mg of extract standardized to 7% cordycepic acid and 0.2% adenosine, compounds known to support stamina, energy production, and immune balance. American ginseng, standardized to 20% extract, is included for its ability to modulate cortisol, enhance mental clarity, and reduce stress-related fatigue. Rhodiola rosea offers dual standardization to 3% salidroside and 1% rosavins, delivering powerful adaptogenic effects that help regulate mood, increase resilience, and improve focus.

In addition to herbal support, this formula contains Vitamin B6 (50 mg as pyridoxine hydrochloride) and Pantothenic Acid (50 mg as d-calcium pantothenate), two nutrients essential for adrenal hormone synthesis and energy metabolism. To further complement adrenal health, Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA, 25 mg) is included for its role in supporting overall cellular function.

Each serving is encapsulated in a vegetarian shell, with no milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, or artificial additives—making it safe for those with common allergies or sensitivities.

Dosing Suggestions & Cortisol Testing:

• The recommended use is one capsule at breakfast and one at lunch, ensuring support throughout the day.
• Kids generally don’t need an adrenal adaptogen.  Their bodies are so good at healing themselves.
• It’s mid-teens and adults that need the extra support.

Cortisol Levels Reset can be taken long-term if needed, with many individuals using it until they experience a 70–90% improvement in symptoms. If symptoms return after discontinuation, the supplement may be restarted for additional cycles until full cortisol balance is achieved.

If you have already done a saliva cortisol test, retest after 3 months of using these supplements, retest with a saliva cortisol test.  If a saliva cortisol test is not an option, don’t waste your time or money on a blood test.

You can do a self-evaluation by reviewing the list of cortisol signs above and/or reviewing other blood work to see if signs of high cortisol are still there.

Blood pressure indications that cortisol may still be stuck:

• You should not have a blood pressure of 90 over 60, 80 over 50 (unless you’re like a Tour De France bike rider.)
• These kinds of readings indicate an issue with cortisol and chronic hypotension.

Blood work indications that cortisol levels may still be stuck:

• High LDL cholesterol and/or
• High total cholesterol
• Low DHEA levels are <150 women and <350 men.

Can these Cortisol Supplements be taken together?

L-Theanine Cortisol Assist and Cortisol Levels Reset (an adrenal adaptogen) supplements are both natural substances that come from different sources.  They can generally be taken together, as they work through different mechanisms and can complement each other to balance cortisol levels.

L-Theanine is excellent to have on hand if you want to quickly produce a feeling of calm, either during the day, before sleep, or even if you wake up from a nap.  Adrenal adaptogen supplements to lower cortisol are plant-based formulas that target the adrenal glands and the body’s stress response.  Excellent if your body has been stuck in stress mode for a long time.

Conclusion

Balancing cortisol and supporting stress resilience requires the right combination of targeted nutrients and adaptogens. Supplements like Cortisol Levels Reset and L-Theanine offer natural, science-backed support to help restore energy, enhance focus, and mitigate the adverse effects of chronic stress. For personalized guidance and access to the best supplements to reduce cortisol, turn to Dr. David Bilstrom, a trusted expert in integrative medicine.