Why High Cortisol is Destroying Your Sleep—And the Natural Solution You Need

By Jason KauffmanFebruary 12, 2025

Introduction: Why You’re Always Stressed, Tired, and Running on Empty

You try to unwind after a long day, but your mind won’t slow down. You wake up at 3 AM for no reason, staring at the ceiling while your heart pounds. No matter how much you try to relax, you feel stuck in a cycle of stress, fatigue, and poor sleep.

Doctors might say it's stress, but what they often overlook is the deeper issue—your cortisol levels are out of balance, keeping you wired at night and exhausted during the day. And here’s the real kicker: you might be missing a crucial mineral that controls cortisol and sleep—magnesium.

Magnesium is essential for lowering stress, regulating the nervous system, and helping your body produce calming neurotransmitters. Yet, nearly 50% of people don’t get enough of it. And without magnesium, your body struggles to shut off stress, making it impossible to get deep, restorative sleep.

I’ve seen this firsthand. A friend of mine, Sarah, was the picture of health—at least on paper. She exercised, ate clean, and took all the right supplements. But she was constantly wired, waking up exhausted despite going to bed early. After months of frustration, she finally got her cortisol levels tested—and they were sky-high, especially at night. Her doctor prescribed stress management techniques, but nothing changed until she focused on optimizing her sleep environment.

She started using mouth tape to encourage nasal breathing, ensuring her nervous system stayed in a relaxed state throughout the night. She added MoonMist Magnesium Spray to naturally lower her cortisol levels and a light-blocking Lunasol Sleep Mask to eliminate disruptions from artificial light. Within two weeks, she was sleeping through the night for the first time in years, waking up refreshed instead of drained.

The solution isn’t just about one quick fix—it’s about creating the right conditions for deep, restorative sleep. That means breathing properly, keeping cortisol levels balanced, and protecting your natural melatonin cycle from sleep-disrupting light. The easiest way to do that? A full sleep-support system: nasal breathing with Lunasol Sleep Mouth Tape, magnesium-infused MoonMist, and the ultra-soft, light-blocking Lunasol Sleep Mask.

Cortisol: The Master Stress Hormone and Its Effect on the Body

Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, small but powerful glands that sit on top of the kidneys. It’s not just a stress hormone—it’s a key regulator of metabolism, blood pressure, inflammation, and immune response. It plays a critical role in how the body manages both short-term and chronic stress.

When faced with a stressful situation, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated. The hypothalamus (a small region in the brain) signals the pituitary gland, which then tells the adrenal glands to release cortisol. This process prepares the body to handle threats by:

Increasing glucose availability for immediate energy
Raising heart rate and blood pressure to deliver oxygen more efficiently
Suppressing non-essential functions (like digestion and immune response) to conserve energy

This response is critical in acute stress situations, such as escaping danger. However, when stress becomes chronic, cortisol levels remain high for extended periods, leading to widespread negative effects on the body.

Effects of Chronically Elevated Cortisol

High cortisol levels, particularly when dysregulated, can result in long-term damage to multiple systems in the body.

Disrupted Sleep-Wake Cycle – Cortisol follows a daily rhythm, peaking in the morning and declining at night. If it stays elevated in the evening, it prevents melatonin (the sleep hormone) from rising, leading to insomnia.
Increased Blood Sugar and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes – Cortisol triggers glucose release from the liver to provide energy. Chronically high levels lead to insulin resistance, higher blood sugar, and increased risk of diabetes (Endocrinology & Metabolism Clinics, 2016).
Weakened Immune System – Chronic cortisol elevation suppresses white blood cell production, increasing susceptibility to infections (Journal of Neuroimmunology, 2018).
Cognitive Decline and Memory Issues – Excess cortisol damages the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory. High cortisol is linked to brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and Alzheimer’s risk (Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2020).
Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease – Studies in Hypertension (2020) confirm that elevated cortisol contributes to high blood pressure and arterial damage, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Mood Disorders (Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout) – Chronically high cortisol disrupts serotonin and dopamine production, heightening the risk of anxiety and depression (Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2019).

The key to reversing these effects? Lowering cortisol naturally—starting with magnesium.

Magnesium: The Natural Regulator of Cortisol and Sleep

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 600 biochemical reactions in the body. One of its most critical roles is regulating the nervous system and stress response.

How Magnesium Lowers Cortisol and Enhances Sleep

Suppresses the HPA Axis – Magnesium regulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity, reducing excess cortisol release (Nutrients, 2017).
Boosts GABA and Serotonin Production – Magnesium activates GABA receptors, promoting relaxation and reducing brain hyperactivity (Brain Research, 2018).
Lowers Blood Pressure and Heart Rate – Magnesium supplementation reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure, decreasing cardiovascular stress (Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 2019).
Enhances Deep and REM Sleep – Magnesium shortens the time to fall asleep and extends deep sleep cycles (Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2012).
Reduces Inflammation and Oxidative Stress – Magnesium counteracts cortisol-induced inflammation (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2019).

Why Topical Magnesium Works Better Than Oral Supplements

Most people fail to absorb enough magnesium through diet or pills. Oral magnesium can cause digestive discomfort, and absorption rates vary based on gut health.

Topical magnesium, like Lunasol Sleep’s MoonMist, is absorbed directly through the skin, bypassing digestion and entering the bloodstream efficiently. Studies show that transdermal magnesium increases cellular magnesium levels faster than oral supplementation (Magnesium Research, 2017).

MoonMist: The Ultimate Magnesium Sleep Solution

Lunasol Sleep’s MoonMist Magnesium Spray is crafted for maximum absorption, relaxation, and deep sleep support.

What Makes MoonMist Different?

Pure Zechstein Seabed Magnesium – The most bioavailable and pure source of magnesium.
Infused with Jojoba, Frankincense, and Rosehip Oils – Enhances skin nourishment and relaxation.
Aloe Vera – Hydrates, soothes, and prevents skin irritation.
30mg of Magnesium Per Spray – Delivers an effective dose for cortisol and sleep support.
Non-Greasy & Fast-Absorbing – No sticky residue or irritation.