Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
The relationship between smoking status and cortisol secretion.
Ellena Badrick1, Clemens Kirschbaum, Meena Kumari
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom. e.badrick@ucl.ac.uk
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|December 21, 2006
Summary
Current smokers exhibit elevated salivary cortisol levels compared to never-smokers, indicating a short-term impact of smoking on the neuroendocrine system. Ex-smokers showed no significant difference from never-smokers.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Evidence linking smoking status to cortisol secretion remains inconsistent.
- Cortisol, a key stress hormone, plays a role in various physiological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between smoking status and salivary cortisol levels.
- To determine if smoking affects the diurnal cortisol rhythm and cortisol awakening response.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of phase 7 (2002-2004) of the Whitehall II study.
- Included 4231 participants (3103 men, 1128 women) categorized by smoking status (never-smoker, ex-smoker, smoker).
- Salivary cortisol was measured at multiple time points throughout the day.
Main Results:
- Current smokers displayed significantly higher salivary cortisol release throughout the day compared to never-smokers (P < 0.001).
- Smokers had a higher cortisol awakening response, with increased release correlating with the number of cigarettes smoked.
- No significant differences in salivary cortisol were found between ex-smokers and never-smokers.
Conclusions:
- Current smoking is associated with increased salivary cortisol, suggesting a short-term effect on the neuroendocrine system.
- The findings highlight a potential physiological consequence of ongoing smoking behavior.
- Reversibility of cortisol level changes after smoking cessation is implied by the lack of difference in ex-smokers.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
01:19Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...
01:37Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
01:26Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome.Exogenous...