Understanding Stress Hormones, Nervous System Dysregulation & How to Restore Rhythm

You wake up exhausted. But at night, your mind won’t switch off. You feel depleted — yet strangely alert. This is commonly described as “tired but wired.” And in many cases, it reflects a disrupted cortisol rhythm — often referred to as the cortisol loop.

This isn’t laziness. It’s physiology.

What Is the Cortisol Loop?

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It follows a natural circadian rhythm:

• Highest in the early morning (to wake you up)

• Gradually decreasing through the day

• Lowest at night (to allow sleep)

Under chronic stress, this rhythm can become dysregulated.

Instead of rising and falling predictably, cortisol may:

• Remain elevated for too long

• Drop too early in the afternoon

• Spike again late at night

• Flatten into inconsistent patterns

This creates the paradox:

Physical exhaustion
Mental alertness

A nervous system stuck in partial survival mode.

Why You Feel Exhausted and Overstimulated at the Same Time

When cortisol remains elevated:

• The sympathetic nervous system stays activated

• Deep restorative sleep decreases

• Dopamine and serotonin balance shifts

• Energy becomes unstable

The body prioritises survival, not restoration.

This creates a self-reinforcing loop:

Stress → cortisol spike → poor sleep → fatigue → increased stress → more cortisol

Without intervention, rhythm never fully resets.

Signs of a Dysregulated Cortisol Rhythm

Common patterns include:

• Morning fatigue despite adequate sleep

• Afternoon crashes

• Late-night energy spikes

• Light or fragmented sleep

• Heightened anxiety

• Reduced libido

• Digestive changes

• Increased skin sensitivity

This is not weakness.

It is often a nervous system asking for regulation.

Why Stimulants Can Make It Worse

When tired, the instinct is to increase stimulation:

More caffeine.
More productivity pressure.
More “push through.”

But stimulants may amplify alertness without restoring rhythm.

Short-term alertness does not equal long-term regulation.

The nervous system stabilises through predictability — not intensity.

🌿 Functional Mushrooms & the Cortisol Loop

Functional mushrooms are not cortisol blockers, nor are they sedatives or stimulants.

However, certain species traditionally used in functional wellness may support stress adaptation and energy regulation when integrated consistently.

Here’s how they fit into a nervous system-first approach:

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) — Evening Regulation Support

Reishi has traditionally been used to support:

• Stress adaptation

• Relaxation response

• Sleep quality

• Nervous system calm

When cortisol spikes at night, gentle evening rituals that include Reishi may support the body’s transition into rest.

Reishi is often best suited for late afternoon or evening use.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) — Clarity Without Overstimulation

Lion’s Mane is commonly associated with:

• Cognitive clarity

• Focus support

• Mental performance without stimulatory spikes

• Nervous system balance

For individuals who feel mentally wired but physically drained, Lion’s Mane may support clearer cognition without amplifying stress responses.

It works best earlier in the day.

Cordyceps — Balanced Energy Metabolism

Cordyceps has traditionally been linked to:

• Oxygen utilisation

• Physical stamina

• Sustainable daytime energy

Rather than creating a spike, it may support smoother energy curves when used in the morning — especially helpful for those relying heavily on caffeine.

Agaricus Blazei — Immune Resilience Under Stress

Chronic stress impacts immune balance.

Agaricus Blazei has traditionally been associated with:

• Immune modulation

• Systemic resilience

• Vitality during high-demand periods

It may be particularly relevant during prolonged stress cycles when burnout begins affecting overall wellbeing.

Multi-Mushroom Adaptogenic Blends

Adaptogenic blends may support:

• HPA-axis balance

• Emotional resilience

• Energy rhythm stability

They are often most effective when used consistently as part of a daily ritual, rather than intermittently during crises.

Breaking the Cortisol Loop (Without Extreme Resets)

The most effective approach is rhythmic.

• Consistent wake time

• Morning natural light exposure

• Reduced evening stimulation

• Warm beverage rituals

• Predictable wind-down cues

Mushrooms work best when integrated into these rhythms — not used as emergency fixes. Consistency signals safety. Safety allows regulation.

The Gribb Perspective

“Tired but wired” is rarely a motivation problem. It’s often a rhythm problem.

The goal is not to suppress cortisol aggressively.
It’s to restore predictable cycles.

When rhythm returns, energy stabilises.
When energy stabilises, clarity follows.
When clarity returns, pressure decreases.

And the loop softens.

Key Takeaway

If you feel exhausted yet overstimulated, you may be experiencing a disrupted cortisol rhythm. The solution is not more intensity.

It is:

• Regulation

• Ritual

• Consistency

• Nervous system safety

Energy returns when the body feels safe enough to rest.

 References

• McEwen, B. S. (2017). Allostatic load and stress physiology.

• Chrousos, G. (2009). Stress and endocrine regulation.

• Panossian & Wikman (2010). Adaptogens and stress response.

• Porges, S. (2011). Polyvagal Theory.