Cortisol and Nighttime Survival

While cortisol does play a role in maintaining vital bodily functions, it doesn’t literally "protect us from nighttime death." However:

Its early-morning spike helps wake the body up and get energy systems going.

Too little cortisol, as seen in Addison's disease, can be dangerous and sometimes fatal — especially during stress or illness, regardless of the time of day.

Possible Misunderstanding:

Some online or alternative sources may overstate cortisol's role. While it’s vital for life, saying it "protects us from nighttime death" is more poetic or exaggerated than factual.

If you meant something else or heard this phrase somewhere, feel free to share the source or context — I can help clarify further.