Which stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol?

The body has a special signal that tells a part of the kidney to send a message telling another part of the body to make cortisol.

Imagine you're playing on the playground, and suddenly there's an alarm. You stop playing because you think something might be wrong, maybe someone dropped their ice cream or a friend got hurt. That alarm is like the signal from the kidney. It says, “Hey, we need to get ready for something big!”

The part of the kidney that sends this message is called the adrenal cortex. Think of it like a helper in the playground who shouts out when there's an alarm.

When the adrenal cortex gets the signal, it starts making cortisol, which is like the body’s “energy boost” for tough times. Cortisol helps you stay strong and focused, whether you're dealing with a big test or a really loud noise on the playground.