The Anxiety Loop: How Cortisol Steals Your Social Confidence

The interaction between stress hormones and sex hormones adds another layer of complexity to the issue of embarrassment; for instance, an increase in cortisol can suppress the production of testosterone in the body. Since testosterone naturally functions to moderate and control the release of cortisol, its reduction causes the stress response system to act without a "brake." This hormonal interference causes individuals to lose their psychological defensive power in sensitive situations, becoming heavily influenced by negative emotions and shame.