India, Jan. 8 -- Scroll through wellness content today and you'll likely see one recurring message: lower your cortisol to lower your stress. From supplements to lifestyle "hacks", the stress hormone has become public enemy number one. But what exactly is cortisol - and does it really deserve its bad reputation? Experts say the answer isn't as simple as cutting it down. In fact, cortisol plays a crucial role in keeping the body functioning normally, and understanding when and how it works may matter far more than trying to eliminate it altogether.

Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon with 25 years of experience, breaks down whether cortisol is truly the enemy - and why the hormone has been unfairly vilified because ...