The most studied stress hormone found in saliva is salivary cortisol.
Salivary cortisol serves as a key biomarker for assessing the body's endocrinological stress response. Its levels fluctuate throughout the day, following a predictable pattern called the diurnal circadian profile.
Salivary Cortisol: A Closer Look
- Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR): Cortisol levels typically rise shortly after waking up, peaking about 30 minutes later.
- Daily Decline: After the initial peak, cortisol levels gradually decrease throughout the rest of the day.
| Time of Day | Cortisol Level Trend |
|---|---|
| Shortly after waking | Rising |
| ~30 minutes after waking | Peak |
| Throughout the Day | Declining |
