Is cortisol a reliable indicator of well-being (2007)

Skyner, L., Smith, T. E.

Abstract

Cortisol levels were significantly modified by the institution in which the subjects were housed and levels of locomotion. Our results indicate that cortisol is significantly modified by fundamental factors outside of the stress response. Cortisol may provide a reliable indicator of well-being only for those species in which we have a thorough understanding of the multiple factors that modify its release.