The concept of adrenal fatigue revolves around the idea of exhaustion or dysfunction of the adrenal glands, which play a crucial role in managing the body’s response to stress. Advocates of adrenal fatigue syndrome believe that chronic stress overwhelms the adrenal glands, leading to a decline in hormone production and a range of disruptive symptoms. However, the concept of adrenal fatigue is controversial, with mainstream practitioners dismissing it due to a lack of scientific evidence.
Skeptics of adrenal fatigue highlight the lack of scientific evidence supporting the concept. Research consistently shows that chronic stress is associated with higher cortisol levels, rather than lower levels as suggested by adrenal fatigue theory. They argue that minor differences in cortisol levels reported in some studies are still within the normal range and do not indicate true adrenal insufficiency.