"Three weeks in and I had my first full night's sleep in longer than I can remember. The wired-but-tired pattern that had been my normal for years just... started to ease."
— Daniel R., 41
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If you don't notice a meaningful difference, email us for a full refund. No questions asked.
Cortisol Balance Formula
Formulated by Dr Miriam Mikicki MD & Elwin Robinson
Support Your Body's Healthy Stress Response & Cortisol Balance
A targeted 5-ingredient formula for the High Cortisol Type — formulated to support your body's natural stress response, healthy cortisol balance, and the adrenal recovery pathways your nervous system needs to step out of "always on" mode.
- Ashwagandha Root Extract (250mg) — an adaptogenic herb used in traditional Ayurvedic practice for over 3,000 years, studied in modern research for its role in supporting the body's natural stress response.†
- Holy Basil (Tulsi) Extract (400mg) — a sacred Ayurvedic herb (standardized to 2.5% ursolic acid), traditionally used to support healthy cortisol balance and a calm response to daily stressors.†
- Relora® (150mg) — a patented blend of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense bark extracts, studied for its role in supporting a healthy stress response and a calm mood.†
- Plus 2 more research-backed ingredients at clinically relevant doses — Phosphatidylserine and 7-Keto DHEA — detailed below.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
It's Not Discipline. It's Not Willpower. It's Your Alarm System Stuck "On."
3am. Wide awake. Heart rate up. Mind racing through the same loop it was running at 11pm before you finally fell asleep.
You drag through the next day on caffeine, push through the afternoon slump, and somewhere around 9pm you finally feel awake — exactly when you're supposed to be winding down. The midsection weight that's appeared in the last few years won't shift no matter what you do. You feel exhausted but you can't switch off.
Here's the thing — that's not a stress management problem. If you've taken the Hormetics assessment and been identified as the High Cortisol Type, it suggests your body's stress response system — the HPA axis — may be stuck in the "on" position. Your nervous system is producing cortisol when it shouldn't, suppressing it when you need it, and the daily rhythm has flipped upside down. Add in modern stressors that never quite let up — work, screens, blue light, news, financial pressure — and the alarm system never gets the signal that it's safe to stand down.
This isn't a willpower problem. It's a pattern with a name and a mechanism — and once you understand it, the symptoms make sense.
The Cortisol Balance Formula was developed with this pattern in mind. Rather than trying to suppress symptoms or push through with more caffeine and willpower, it's formulated to support the underlying stress response pathways your body uses naturally — the HPA axis, the vagus nerve, and the adrenal cofactors involved in healthy cortisol balance. Five ingredients, each selected for the research behind it, at doses that reflect what the research has actually studied.
Haven't taken the Hormetics assessment yet? Take the free quiz here to identify your type before purchasing.
In my practice, the patients I see with this pattern are usually the ones who appear to be holding everything together — high-functioning, getting things done, ticking every box — and quietly running on empty. They've been told to manage their stress, sleep more, meditate. They've tried. It doesn't touch the root pattern. The reason is that chronic cortisol elevation isn't a mindset problem — it's a physiological state, and the nervous system needs actual physiological signals of safety to step out of it. We formulated this blend to support healthy cortisol balance, the body's natural stress response, and the adaptogenic pathways the nervous system uses to downshift — because when you give the system what it needs, the body can do something willpower alone never can.
Dr Miriam Mikicki, MD, Co-Creator of The Hormetics Formulas
UK-trained GP, IFM Certified Practitioner, and pioneer of functional medicine in the UK. Founder of Mikicki Medical and co-founder of Health Miro, a longevity clinic in London. Specializes in root-cause approaches to hormonal balance, thyroid health, and gut health.
Why I Developed This Formula
Let me tell you about Daniel — a composite drawn from the many clients I've worked with over the years who share this exact pattern. What Daniel goes through is what I see again and again with the High Cortisol Type, and it's part of what convinced me this approach actually works.
Daniel came to me successful by every external measure — running a business, two kids, marathon-fit through his thirties. But by 41, things had quietly shifted. He was waking at 3am most nights, mind racing through tomorrow's problems. Mornings required two coffees just to feel human. Around the midsection, he'd put on weight that wouldn't shift no matter how hard he trained. And the fuse he'd always been proud of — the one that let him stay calm under pressure — had become noticeably shorter at home with his family.
His doctor had done the standard bloods. Testosterone slightly low for his age, otherwise “normal.” He was told to manage his stress, get more sleep, maybe try meditation. He'd tried all of it. It didn't touch the underlying feeling that his nervous system was stuck in fifth gear and he couldn't find the clutch.
When we looked at the bigger picture — the sleep disruption, the midsection weight that's the hallmark of chronic cortisol elevation, the wired-but-tired pattern, the way intense exercise was making things worse rather than better — it was a textbook presentation of the High Cortisol Type. His HPA axis had been running hot for years and his body had stopped being able to switch it off.
So we worked through the approach the Cortisol Balance Formula is built around — Ashwagandha and Holy Basil to support the body's natural stress response, Relora for the daily mood and tension piece, Phosphatidylserine to support healthy cortisol rhythm in the evenings, and 7-Keto DHEA for the metabolic side that's so often impacted by chronic cortisol — combined with shifting his exercise from cortisol-spiking to cortisol-restoring, getting morning sunlight, and learning to actually downshift in the evenings.
Within about six weeks, the 3am wake-ups had become rare. He was sleeping through. The fuse had lengthened. The midsection had started to shift — slowly, but steadily, in a way years of cardio hadn't delivered. He told me he'd forgotten what it felt like to wake up actually rested.
Now, I know what you might be thinking — you've tried adaptogens before, maybe Ashwagandha on its own, and nothing shifted. I get it. The difference with this formula is that every ingredient was chosen based on published research at doses that match what was actually studied — and the formulation works on multiple pathways simultaneously rather than just hammering one. These aren't magic. But when the formulation respects the system rather than fighting it, many people experience something genuinely different.
Individual experiences may vary. This is a personal account and is not intended as a guarantee of results. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Stress: The Trigger vs Cortisol: The Stuck Signal
This is something that took me a while to really understand, and once you see it, it changes how you think about stress and burnout completely. The thing your body is responding to and the response itself are not the same problem. Trying to remove every stressor doesn't fix a system that's lost the ability to switch off.
Stress
The Trigger
The deadlines. The kids. The news. The financial pressure. The thing your boss said. The email you haven't replied to.
These are triggers. Real, exhausting, unending triggers.
Most stress advice focuses here. Manage your time better. Set boundaries. Meditate. Take breaks. Try yoga.
These can all help — and none of them address what happens when the alarm system itself has stopped responding to "all clear" signals. You can remove every external stressor and a dysregulated HPA axis will keep the cortisol elevated anyway. The trigger isn't the same as the response.
Cortisol
The Stuck Signal
Your body has a built-in alarm system — the HPA axis (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals). When you encounter a real threat, it produces cortisol to mobilise energy and focus. When the threat passes, healthy feedback should switch the alarm off.
The problem is when the alarm gets stuck "on." Years of low-grade chronic stress, poor sleep, blue light at night, intense exercise on top of an already-overwhelmed system, and the negative feedback loop stops working. Cortisol stays elevated when it shouldn't. The midsection weight appears. The 3am wake-ups start. The fuse shortens.
Supporting healthy HPA axis function is fundamentally different from suppressing the trigger. You're not trying to remove every stressor — you're helping the system itself learn to switch off again.
Research suggests that supporting healthy cortisol balance, vagal tone, and the adrenal cofactors involved in the stress response — as part of an overall healthy lifestyle — can help the body do what it was designed to do.
Here's why this matters for the High Cortisol Type. If you scored highest in the cortisol-related patterns on the Hormetics assessment, it suggests your alarm system may be stuck "on." The good news is the HPA axis is highly responsive. With the right nutrient support and lifestyle strategies, many people find their stress response starts to recalibrate in a way that pure willpower never delivered.
That's why we formulated the Cortisol Balance Formula specifically around adaptogens and cofactors with research behind them for supporting healthy cortisol balance, the body's natural stress response, and adrenal recovery. When the alarm system is better supported as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, many people find their nervous system starts to remember how to downshift.†
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
What's Inside — And Why Each Ingredient Was Chosen
Every ingredient backed by published clinical research. Doses that reflect what was actually studied — not token amounts for label decoration.
Holy Basil (Tulsi) Extract
400mgOcimum sanctum, leaves (standardized to 2.5% ursolic acid)
The Sacred Ayurvedic Herb for Calm
Holy Basil — known as Tulsi in Ayurvedic tradition where it's been used for thousands of years — is one of the most studied adaptogenic herbs in modern research. Studies published in journals including the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine have investigated Holy Basil's role in supporting healthy cortisol balance and a calm response to daily stressors. We use a standardized leaf extract delivering 2.5% ursolic acid at 400mg per serving — a meaningful dose in the formula, reflecting Holy Basil's central role in this blend rather than a token amount for the label.†
Ashwagandha Root Extract
250mgWithania somnifera, root
The Adaptogen Studied for Stress and Sleep
Ashwagandha is the most extensively researched adaptogen of the modern era. Used in traditional Ayurvedic practice for over 3,000 years, modern research published in journals including the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine and the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition has investigated its role in supporting the body's natural stress response, healthy cortisol balance, and quality of sleep. We include it at 250mg per serving — a supportive dose that complements Holy Basil rather than dominating the formula. The combination is intentional: both adaptogens work on similar pathways through different mechanisms, giving the body layered support.†
Can affect thyroid hormone levels. Not suitable during pregnancy. See Important Safety Information below.
Relora®
150mgMagnolia officinalis bark + Phellodendron amurense bark (patented blend)
The Patented Blend for a Calm Mood
Relora® is a patented blend of two traditional botanicals — Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense bark extracts. Research published in journals including Nutrition Journal and the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition has investigated Relora's role in supporting a healthy stress response, a calm mood, and healthy cortisol balance. We include it at the standard researched dose of 150mg per serving. In this formula, it works alongside Holy Basil and Ashwagandha to support the “mood” side of the cortisol story — the daily irritation, the shortened fuse, the sense of being permanently braced.†
May interact with sedatives, sleep medication and alcohol. See Important Safety Information below.
Phosphatidylserine
100mgPhospholipid (from soy)
The Phospholipid for Healthy Cortisol Rhythm
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that occurs naturally in the membranes of every cell in your body — and is especially concentrated in brain cells. Research published in journals including Stress and the European Journal of Applied Physiology has investigated phosphatidylserine's role in supporting a healthy cortisol response and a calm nervous system, particularly in the context of acute physical and mental stress. We include it at 100mg per serving — a supportive dose at the lower end of the researched range, contributing to the formula's overall cortisol-balance profile without overloading the daily dose.†
Contains soy. Do not use if you have a soy allergy.
7-Keto DHEA
100mg3-β-Acetoxyandrost-5-en-7,17-dione (a metabolite of DHEA)
The DHEA Metabolite Studied for Cortisol Balance
7-Keto DHEA is a naturally-occurring metabolite of DHEA — the hormone produced by your adrenal glands. Unlike regular DHEA, 7-Keto is not converted into estrogen or testosterone in the body, which is why it's available as a supplement in the United States. Research published in journals including Current Therapeutic Research has investigated 7-Keto DHEA's role in supporting healthy thermogenesis and cortisol balance. We include it at 100mg per serving, a dose consistent with the published research. It's the formula's most targeted ingredient for the metabolic side of chronic cortisol — where stubborn midsection weight, sluggish mornings, and stalled thermogenesis often cluster.†
Banned in competitive sports (WADA). Not suitable in pregnancy or for hormone-sensitive conditions. International restrictions apply. See Important Safety Information below.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All cited research refers to individual ingredients, not to this specific product formulation.
Why Quality and Transparency Matter
cGMP Certified Manufacturing
The Cortisol Balance Formula is manufactured in a facility that follows current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) as established by the FDA. Every batch is produced under strict quality controls — from raw ingredient verification to final product testing — to help ensure consistency, purity, and potency.
Made in the USA
The Cortisol Balance Formula is manufactured in the United States in a registered and inspected facility. From ingredient sourcing to final encapsulation, the production process meets US manufacturing standards.
Third-Party Tested
Every batch of the Cortisol Balance Formula is independently tested by a third-party laboratory to verify ingredient identity, potency, and purity. This testing is conducted by an accredited laboratory separate from the manufacturing facility, providing an additional layer of quality assurance.
Active IRB-Approved Clinical Study
Key ingredients in the Cortisol Balance Formula are currently being evaluated in an active clinical study that has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. IRB approval means the study design, protocols, and participant protections have been reviewed and approved by an independent ethics committee — the same standard of oversight applied to pharmaceutical research.
Physician Developed
The Cortisol Balance Formula was co-developed by Dr Miriam Mikicki MD, a qualified medical doctor and functional medicine practitioner, and Elwin Robinson, a health researcher specialising in hormonal and metabolic optimisation. The formula was designed based on published clinical research and real-world clinical experience with hormonal patterns.
Simple to Use, Every Day
Take 2 Capsules Daily
Take two capsules daily with 6–8oz of water, ideally with a meal. Many people prefer taking it in the early evening to support the wind-down phase of the day, but morning works equally well.
Support Your Stress Response
The five targeted ingredients are formulated to support your body's natural stress response, healthy cortisol balance, and the adrenal cofactors your nervous system uses to downshift.
Give It Time to Work for You
Many people report noticing shifts in sleep quality and how they feel during the day within the first 2–4 weeks. Adaptogens build over time, so we suggest allowing up to 90 days of consistent use to properly evaluate how it feels for you.†
Join 2,500+ people who've discovered their hormonal archetype
What Happens When Your Stress Response Starts Working For You?
Individual experiences shared with permission. Results vary by type, adherence, and individual factors. These are not typical results and your experience may differ.
Three weeks and I slept through the night
“I'd been waking at 3am, mind racing, for over two years. I'd tried every sleep hygiene trick going. Three weeks in on this and I had my first full night's sleep in longer than I can remember. It's not magic — but it's something I'd genuinely stopped expecting was possible.”
— Daniel R., 41
The fuse got longer
“I didn't realise how short my fuse had become until my wife pointed it out. Six weeks in on this and the daily irritation that had become my normal has noticeably eased. I'm not sure I'd have noticed myself. The people around me did.”
— James K., 47
Finally something that addresses the actual cause
“I'd tried Ashwagandha alone. Did very little. The thing that's different here is the combination — the Holy Basil, the Relora, the phosphatidylserine all working together. Plus actually changing my evenings. It's a system that finally addresses what's actually going on.”
— Natalie S., 38
The midsection has actually started to shift
“I want to be honest — the weight side has been slow. But around the eight-week mark the midsection has actually started to shift in a way years of cardio hadn't delivered. I marked it down a star because I'd hoped for faster, but the change is real.”
— Mark D., 44
I can feel myself downshift in the evenings now
“The biggest shift wasn't the sleep or the weight — it was that I can feel myself downshift in the evenings now. That switch from 'on' to 'off' had genuinely stopped working for me. It's working again. I didn't know how much I missed it.”
— Rebecca T., 39
Skeptical going in. Convinced now.
“I'm a clinician myself and I've seen every supplement marketing pitch going. The references checked out — I looked them up. That's why I tried it. Six weeks in, the change is real enough that I've recommended it to two patients with similar presentations.”
— Tom A., 51
The “Balance” Guarantee
Try the formula for 180 days.
If you don’t notice a meaningful change in how steady you feel… if your sleep doesn’t improve… if the wired-but-tired pattern hasn’t started to ease… simply email us for a full refund. You keep the bottles.
We back this with a full 180-Day Money-Back Guarantee because we believe in this formula and want you to have time to see how it feels for you — across the weeks an adaptogen formula needs to do its work.
No questions. No hoops. No forms.
Just email support@hormetics.health and we’ll take care of it for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
THE HORMETICS SYSTEM IS CO-DEVELOPED BY:
Dr. Miriam Mikicki, MD
Medical Doctor and IFM Practitioner
Dr. Miriam Mikicki is a UK-trained GP and IFM Certified Practitioner, and a member of the Institute for Functional Medicine's Certification Board. A pioneer of functional medicine in the United Kingdom, she is founder of Mikicki Medical and co-founder of Health Miro, a longevity and preventative medicine clinic in London. Her specialty is root-cause approaches to hormonal balance, thyroid and autoimmune conditions, gut health and longevity. Her clinical insight — shaped by years of treating patients who were doing everything right but still couldn't reach their health goals — is the foundation of the Hormetics typing system.
Elwin Robinson
Author, Health Researcher, Genetic Expert
Elwin Robinson spent a decade teaching natural health through his online courses and YouTube channel — until a personal health crisis in his late thirties led him to advanced genetic testing, which revealed a root cause no standard test had caught. That experience shaped his guiding principle: if you aren't getting better, it's because nobody has looked in the right place yet. He founded Advanced Health Genetics, has worked with thousands of clients on hormonal and metabolic patterns, and is Author of the Rejuvenate Blueprint Book Series, the Creator of the Hormetics typing system, and host of the Rejuvenate Podcast.
You've identified your type. You know what's been driving the wired-but-tired, the 3am wake-ups, the fuse that's gotten too short.
Now Give Your Stress Response the Support It Actually Needs
You know what's been driving the daily exhaustion. You understand why "manage your stress" was never going to solve it. The Cortisol Balance Formula was built for exactly this pattern — five research-backed ingredients, formulated by Dr Miriam Mikicki MD and Elwin Robinson, backed by a 180-day Balance Guarantee. If it doesn't change how you feel, you pay nothing.
Cortisol Balance Formula
From $39/bottle
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Important Safety Information
Please read before ordering. Some ingredients in this formula have medical contraindications.
Cortisol Balance Formula is designed for healthy adults supporting their body's natural stress response. Several of the ingredients have known interactions with common medications or are not suitable for certain health conditions. Please review the specific considerations below and speak with your doctor before starting this formula if any apply to you.
Ashwagandha & Thyroid Medication
Ashwagandha can affect thyroid hormone levels. If you take thyroid medication (Levothyroxine, Synthroid, or any other), speak with your doctor before starting this formula. Your medication dose may need to be adjusted, and your doctor should monitor your thyroid levels.
Ashwagandha & Autoimmune Conditions
Ashwagandha can stimulate immune activity. If you have an autoimmune condition (including Hashimoto's, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis) or take immunosuppressant medication, speak with your doctor before starting this formula.
Relora, Holy Basil & Sedatives / Sleep Medication / Alcohol
Relora (Magnolia bark) and Holy Basil both have mild calming properties that may compound with sedatives, sleep medications, anxiety medications (including benzodiazepines and SSRIs), or alcohol. Do not combine with alcohol. Speak with your doctor before starting this formula if you take any medication affecting the nervous system.
Phosphatidylserine — Soy Allergen
The Phosphatidylserine in this formula is sourced from soybeans. Do not use this formula if you have a soy allergy. The other ingredients are botanically or biochemically sourced and don't contain the major top allergens.
7-Keto DHEA — Important Warnings
7-Keto DHEA is a hormone metabolite with specific contraindications:
- Competitive athletes. 7-Keto DHEA is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list and is banned by the NCAA, MLB, and most professional sports organisations. If you compete in tested sport at any level, do not use this formula.
- Hormone-sensitive conditions. Do not use if you have a current or past history of hormone-sensitive cancer (including breast, ovarian, prostate, or endometrial), or are taking hormone-modulating medication for cancer support, without explicit clearance from your oncologist.
- Thyroid medication. May interact with thyroid medication — consult your physician.
- International availability. 7-Keto DHEA is restricted, controlled, or treated as a prescription substance in some countries (including parts of the EU, the UK, Canada, and Australia). Please check local regulations before ordering. Customs-seized shipments cannot be refunded.
- Pregnancy, nursing, under-18. Not suitable.
Pregnancy, Nursing & Under 18
Cortisol Balance Formula is not suitable for use during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or for individuals under 18. Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Relora, and 7-Keto DHEA are all contraindicated in pregnancy.
General
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have a medical condition or are taking prescription medication. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if you experience any adverse effects.
⚠ Safety Notice
Cortisol Balance Formula is not suitable for use during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or for individuals under 18. It is not suitable for athletes who compete in tested sport at any level — 7-Keto DHEA is banned by WADA, NCAA, MLB, and most major professional sports organisations. Speak with your doctor before starting if you take thyroid medication (Ashwagandha can affect thyroid hormone levels), or if you take SSRIs, benzodiazepines, sleep medication, or any other medication affecting the nervous system. Contains soy (the Phosphatidylserine is soy-derived) — do not use if you have a soy allergy. International customers: 7-Keto DHEA is restricted, controlled, or treated as a prescription substance in some countries (including parts of the EU, the UK, Canada, and Australia). Please check the regulations in your country before ordering — see FAQ for more. Always speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
References available upon request. All cited studies refer to individual ingredients, not to this specific product formulation.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. This product is a dietary supplement and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement regimen. The Hormetics system is designed to support lifestyle optimization and is educational in nature.
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