Does coffee raise cortisol levels?

Yes, coffee raises cortisol, and the research on this is consistent across multiple studies. But the answer that matters is not whether it raises cortisol — it is by how much, under what conditions, and whether that represents a problem for your specific situation. The research shows a nuanced picture that most cortisol content ignores: tolerance plays a role, timing plays a role, and the stress level you bring to your coffee habit matters more than the coffee itself on most days.

What the research actually shows

A well-cited randomized controlled study published in Psychosomatic Medicine and available in the NIH database examined the cortisol responses of adults given caffeine doses equivalent to roughly three cups of coffee over the course of a day. The findings showed that after a period of caffeine abstinence, caffeine challenge doses produced a robust cortisol increase across the test day. Importantly, daily caffeine intake at moderate levels reduced but did not eliminate this response, and afternoon doses continued to elevate cortisol even in habitual drinkers.

A 2025 comparative review of 15 studies presented at the European Society of Endocrinology found that coffee produced the strongest cortisol increase of approximately 50% above baseline across roughly 2,500 subjects, compared to tea (20% increase) and other caffeinated drinks (30% increase). Tea's milder response was attributed in part to L-theanine, a compound known to modulate the stimulant effects of caffeine.

A double-blind controlled crossover study, also in the NIH database, found that caffeine taken alongside mental stress amplified the cortisol response compared to stress alone. The effect was similar in men and women. In other words, on a genuinely demanding day, your morning coffee adds to the cortisol load that stress is already generating.

"Sleep is… the king, the queen… of health."

— Dr. Samantha Ess, ND, Naturopathic Doctor specializing in hormone health and fertility

The timing question: why first thing in the morning matters

Your cortisol follows a natural circadian rhythm that peaks in the early morning as part of the body's preparation for waking and the demands of the day. Consuming coffee at the exact time when cortisol is already at its daily high creates a stacked effect. You are adding a caffeine-driven cortisol stimulus on top of an already elevated baseline.

For most habitual drinkers, this may not produce dramatic symptoms. But for women who already feel wired, anxious, or overstimulated in the mornings, or who are in a high-stress period where the HPA axis is already under load, this additive effect is worth considering. The practical intervention most often suggested by researchers: delay your first coffee by 60 to 90 minutes after waking, when the natural cortisol peak has begun to decline, rather than stacking caffeine on top of it.

Does tolerance mean you should not worry about it?

Partial tolerance is the accurate answer. The NIH-published research on caffeine tolerance found that regular use does reduce, but does not eliminate, the cortisol response to caffeine. The afternoon doses in that study continued to elevate cortisol in regular drinkers. And the ScienceDirect study on caffeine and mental stress found that habitual drinkers still showed a meaningful cortisol amplification when caffeine was combined with a genuine stressor.

What this means in practice: on a calm, well-rested day with one or two cups of coffee consumed after the morning cortisol peak has begun its natural decline, the cortisol impact is modest and most adults tolerate it well. On a sleep-deprived, high-stress day with multiple cups consumed early in the morning, the cumulative cortisol effect is meaningfully larger. Your baseline state matters as much as the coffee itself.

The change that matters more than quitting coffee

The research does not suggest that most women need to eliminate coffee. What it does suggest is that a few structural adjustments reduce the cortisol cost of a coffee habit significantly: delaying the first cup, keeping daily intake to one or two cups rather than four or five, and being deliberate about afternoon cutoffs so that cortisol has the chance to decline naturally by evening.

On high-stress days, pairing caffeine with a stress-support protocol makes more physiological sense than simply continuing your normal routine. If you are navigating a demanding season, our stress support formula for women, formulated with 300 mg organic ashwagandha and algae-sourced DHA, is designed to support a healthy stress response and a balanced mood throughout the day.† The B vitamins in Cortisol Complex, including B6 and B12 in their methylated forms, support the neurotransmitter pathways that stress and caffeine both draw on.†

"We believe that taking care of your body is an act of faith. What you put in matters — and so does the season you are in."

— Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder and CEO of Pink Stork

What this does not mean

This is not a case against coffee. Coffee has a well-established body of research on its own, and for most healthy adults, moderate consumption is not associated with harm. The cortisol question is one variable among many. The relevant framing is not "is coffee bad" but "is my relationship with caffeine adding to a stress load that is already high." For most women in most seasons, thoughtful timing and moderate amounts are sufficient adjustments. For women in genuinely high-stress periods, being more deliberate about both the amount and the timing is the evidence-supported choice.

For the broader cortisol picture, see our pillar guide: What does cortisol actually do, and should you be trying to lower it? For the research on ashwagandha specifically, read What does the research say about ashwagandha and stress support?

Frequently asked questions about coffee and cortisol

Does decaf coffee also raise cortisol?

Decaf contains significantly less caffeine (typically 2 to 15 mg per cup compared to 80 to 120 mg in regular coffee), so the cortisol response is much smaller. For women who are sensitive to caffeine's stimulant effects or who are working to support their stress response, switching to decaf for at least the morning period is a practical and evidence-consistent choice.

What time should I drink my coffee to minimize the cortisol effect?

The research supports delaying your first cup by 60 to 90 minutes after waking, allowing the natural morning cortisol peak to begin its decline before you add a caffeine stimulus. For most people this means a first cup between 8 and 10 a.m. rather than immediately upon waking.

Does cortisol from coffee cause weight gain?

Cortisol plays a role in glucose metabolism and fat storage, but the transient cortisol rises associated with normal moderate coffee consumption are not the same as the sustained elevated cortisol associated with chronic stress and the metabolic changes it can produce. Framing moderate coffee consumption as a cause of fat gain is an oversimplification not supported by the current research.

Does coffee affect cortisol differently in women than men?

Research suggests that while both men and women experience caffeine-driven cortisol rises, women may show different cardiovascular responses to caffeine at different points in the menstrual cycle, linked to estrogen levels. The direct cortisol-caffeine response appears broadly similar across sexes in the published studies, though this remains an area of ongoing research. Women who notice their coffee tolerance changing across their cycle have a biologically plausible explanation in the hormonal research.

Can I drink coffee while taking ashwagandha?

There is no well-documented interaction between ashwagandha and coffee. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, and the category of adaptogens is broadly designed to support the body's response to stressors, including the stimulant effects of caffeine. As with any supplement combination, consult your healthcare provider before starting ashwagandha, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you take medications.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.