What hormone are researchers measuring when they "stress out" their test subjects?

Cortisol is often referred to as the "stress hormone" because it plays a significant role in the body's response to stress. When researchers "stress out" their test subjects, they typically measure cortisol levels to understand how the body reacts to stressors. This hormone is released by the adrenal glands and can influence various bodily functions such as metabolism, immune response, and blood pressure. Increased cortisol levels can indicate that the body is under stress, making it a crucial marker for research regarding stress responses.

In contrast, while adrenaline is also involved in the stress response, it serves more as an immediate reaction to stressors rather than a long-term indicator like cortisol. Dopamine and serotonin are neurotransmitters that primarily influence mood and pleasure, but they are not directly linked to the physiological stress response in the same way cortisol is. Thus, cortisol is the most appropriate choice for measuring the effects of stress on the body.