Test

Morning cortisol test

Healthy mornings have a sharp cortisol surge. Burnt-out mornings don't. 6 questions to flag the pattern.

Question 1 of 6
How do you feel within 30 minutes of waking?
Question 2 of 6
Do you wake with a racing heart or sense of dread?
Question 3 of 6
Do you wake before your alarm — specifically between 3–5 AM?
Question 4 of 6
Do you wake with a clenched jaw or tension headache?
Question 5 of 6
Morning appetite?
Question 6 of 6
How soon do you need caffeine after waking?

Frequently asked questions

What is the cortisol awakening response (CAR)? +
Cortisol naturally rises 50–75% within 30–45 minutes of waking. This surge is called the Cortisol Awakening Response. A healthy CAR helps you feel alert and energized. A blunted, flat, or hyperactive CAR is associated with chronic stress, burnout, depression, and HPA axis dysregulation.
Why do I wake up at 3 AM with anxiety? +
Early-morning awakening between 3–5 AM is often associated with elevated nocturnal cortisol. Stress, alcohol, low blood sugar, and sleep apnea can all push cortisol higher in the second half of the night, fragmenting sleep and triggering an anxiety spike.
Is this a real cortisol test? +
No — this is a symptom-based quiz designed to flag patterns associated with a disrupted morning cortisol response. A real cortisol test requires saliva (most common, 4-point salivary CAR), blood, or urine. This quiz can help you decide whether to pursue lab testing.
Can Cortisol+ measure my CAR? +
Cortisol+ estimates your cortisol pattern in real time using Apple Watch biometrics (HRV, sleep stages, heart rate). It cannot directly measure cortisol, but it surfaces the morning surge pattern via HRV recovery and resting heart rate trend after wake.