The body's primary stress hormone, reduced by massage therapy.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. While essential for the fight-or-flight response, chronically elevated cortisol contributes to anxiety, weight gain, sleep problems, and immune suppression. Research shows massage therapy can reduce cortisol levels by up to 31% per session, making it an effective stress management tool.
Knowing what cortisol means makes it easier to talk with a masseur before the session starts. Mention it during the intake conversation if it matters to you — a professional male massage therapist will explain how it fits the modality you booked, adjust pressure or positioning around it, and tell you honestly when a different approach suits your body better. You will find the same vocabulary used across our massage service pages, our wellness guides, and the NYC neighborhood pages, so the terms you learn here carry over to booking a real session.