Sweat Cortisol as a Non-Invasive Marker of HPA Axis Activity: Evidence for Biological Convergence and Pharmacological Sensitivity

Authors

• Isabella Baker, University of South AlabamaFollow

Files

Description

Cortisol is a primary biomarker of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity and is widely used to assess physiological stress. Traditional cortisol measurement relies on saliva, blood, urine, or hair, each with limitations in invasiveness or temporal resolution. Sweat has emerged as a non-invasive alternative compatible with wearable biosensing technologies. However, the biological validity of sweat cortisol remains unclear, particularly its relationship to systemic cortisol levels. We hypothesize that sweat cortisol demonstrates biological convergence with salivary cortisol and reflects systemic HPA axis activity.

Publication Date

5-2026

Disciplines

Behavioral Medicine | Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition | Biological Factors | Biomedical Informatics | Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists | Investigative Techniques | Other Medicine and Health Sciences | Physiological Processes | Preventive Medicine

Recommended Citation

Baker, Isabella, "Sweat Cortisol as a Non-Invasive Marker of HPA Axis Activity: Evidence for Biological Convergence and Pharmacological Sensitivity" (2026). Poster Presentations. 57.
https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/honors_college_posters/57