Prolonged exposure to normal levels of the stress hormone cortisol over several days reduces the activity and signaling molecule production of a type of immune cell called CD3+ T cells, but a short four-hour exposure does not cause lasting changes.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

27

Community contributions welcome

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Exercise Duration Modulates Cortisol Release and Chronic Cortisol Exposure Jeopardises T Cell Effector Functions

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human & In Vitro

2026 Jan

When your body is under long-term stress, the stress hormone cortisol slows down your immune cells, making them less able to fight infections or cancer. But short bursts of cortisol, like during a quick workout, don’t have this effect.

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Source Study

Exercise Duration Modulates Cortisol Release and Chronic Cortisol Exposure Jeopardises T Cell Effector Functions

Score: 27

DOI: 10.1111/imm.70028

Similar Assertions

Prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol reduces the ability of immune cells called tumor-specific T cells to destroy cancer cells in laboratory settings, and this reduction lasts even after the cortisol is gone. Short-term exposure to cortisol does not have this effect.

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73%

Prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol is associated with increased levels of PD-1 on activated T cells, a marker linked to reduced T cell function, while short-term exposure does not produce this effect.

27

0

73%