How to prepare
You'll collect six saliva samples across a single day. Here's how to prepare:
Collection times: Samples are taken at waking, 30 minutes after waking, 45 minutes after waking, noon, 4 pm, and 10 pm (or bedtime). Set phone alarms for each one. Timing matters for the morning samples especially.
Morning samples: The first three samples capture your Cortisol Awakening Response. Collect the first sample within 5 minutes of waking, the second exactly 30 minutes later, and the third at the 45-minute mark. Don't eat, drink, or brush your teeth before the third sample is done.
Food and drink: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and high-sugar foods on collection day. Water is fine between samples. Don't eat in the 30 minutes before each afternoon or evening sample.
Exercise: Skip intense exercise on collection day. Light walking is fine.
Medications: Some medications (especially corticosteroids) can affect cortisol levels. If you take prescription medication, check with your healthcare provider about whether to adjust timing. Don't stop prescribed medication without medical advice.
Supplements: Pause adaptogenic supplements (ashwagandha, rhodiola, etc.) for 48 hours before collection day if possible. Check with your practitioner if you're unsure.
Collection method: Use the salivettes (cotton swabs) provided in your kit. Place the swab under your tongue for 2 to 3 minutes until saturated. Return the swab to its tube, label it with the collection time, and store in the fridge until all six are done.
Returning your kit: Pack all six tubes in the prepaid return satchel and post on the same day or next business day. Don't leave samples in a hot car or letterbox.
After the test
Share your results with a qualified healthcare practitioner, ideally one experienced in adrenal health or functional medicine. They can interpret your cortisol curve alongside your symptoms and health history, and help you decide whether any changes to your routine, further testing, or practitioner-guided support would be useful.
Many people retest every 3 to 6 months to track how their cortisol pattern responds to any changes they've made.
Your test results will be available in your private dashboard. If there are any urgent issues, we'll let you know so you can follow up with your health professional.
Understanding results
Your report plots your cortisol levels at each of the six collection times against the expected daily curve. You'll see whether your morning spike, midday levels, and evening decline fall within typical ranges, and where they deviate.
Common patterns practitioners look for include a flattened morning response (where cortisol doesn't rise as sharply as expected after waking), elevated evening levels (which may suggest the body isn't winding down on schedule), and an overall compressed or inverted curve.
These patterns can provide useful context, but they don't tell the full story on their own. A qualified healthcare practitioner can interpret your specific cortisol curve alongside your symptoms, health history, and lifestyle to build a clearer picture of what's going on.
