#StressMyths

A rising wave of social media content has Thai viewers fixated on cortisol as the villain behind weight gain and facial changes. Scientists and doctors warn that everyday cortisol fluctuations from normal stress are not the dramatic threat seen in popular videos. This perspective, drawn from a detailed analysis in The Conversation and echoed by endocrinologists and health organizations, urges media literacy around online health claims.

Thai youths and professionals are feeling the impact of wellness trends that blame cortisol for stubborn belly fat or puffy faces. Local creators and influencers have amplified the narrative, with hashtags such as #cortisolbelly gaining traction. However, experts say the science is far more nuanced. Weight and body changes arise from a mix of genetics, sleep, diet, activity, and hormones—not cortisol alone.

Social media’s obsession with “cortisol belly” and “cortisol face” has racked up millions of views among Thai users, amplifying fears that the stress hormone cortisol is sabotaging health and appearance. However, scientists and medical experts are pushing back, clarifying that everyday cortisol fluctuations from modern stressors are far from the catastrophic threat depicted in TikTok and Instagram trends—findings that come as a relief for many in Thailand and across the globe. This latest conversation is rooted in a detailed analysis published by a medical researcher through The Conversation, and corroborated by endocrinologists and global health organizations, signaling an urgent need for critical media literacy around health information online.