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Complicated Grief Patients Show Abnormally Elevated Cortisol at 4 PM and 9 PM

Huberman Lab · Essentials: The Science & Process of Healing from Grief · May 28, 2026
Complicated Grief Patients Show Abnormally Elevated Cortisol at 4 PM and 9 PM
Huberman Lab
Huberman Lab
Essentials: The Science & Process of Healing from Grief
"When you compare the cortisol levels between people experiencing complicated grieving versus non-complicated grieving, what you find is 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM cortisol levels are significantly higher than they are in the non-complicated grieving group."
Research published in Biological Psychology revealed that individuals with complicated grief disorder display disrupted cortisol rhythms, with late-day cortisol remaining elevated rather than declining normally. Huberman suggested this finding points to dysregulated autonomic nervous system function as a biomarker and potential intervention target for pathological grief.
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Huberman Lab
Huberman Lab

Essentials: The Science & Process of Healing from Grief

August 3, 2026 · 4 Egleze moments
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