The Anxiety Loop: How Cortisol Steals Your Social Confidence

Sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen, also play a decisive role in how social behaviors manifest and the level of an individual's boldness. Research indicates that changes in the levels of these hormones can shift the threshold for stress tolerance, making a person either more sensitive or more resistant to social feedback. For example, testosterone is usually associated with increased self-confidence and reduced social fear, while a sudden drop in it can pave the way for feelings of embarrassment and hesitation to take over.