You’ve probably heard the term “adrenal fatigue.”

It’s often used to describe feeling:
Constantly tired
Wired but exhausted
Unable to recover
Stressed all the time

While these symptoms are very real, “adrenal fatigue” isn’t an accurate physiological diagnosis.

That doesn’t mean nothing is wrong.

It means the issue is more about stress system dysregulation than “tired adrenal glands.”

The Adrenal Fatigue Myth

The idea behind adrenal fatigue suggests that the adrenal glands become “worn out” from producing too much stress hormone (like cortisol).

But in most cases, the adrenal glands are still functioning.

The problem isn’t that they can’t produce hormones.

It’s that the stress regulation system is out of balance.

This system involves the brain, nervous system, and hormones working together.

Understanding the HPA Axis

The HPA axis (Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal axis) is the main stress regulation system.

It controls how your body responds to stress by managing hormones like cortisol.

When stress is constant — from training, life pressure, poor sleep, or emotional strain — the HPA axis can become dysregulated.

Instead of producing well-timed, appropriate stress responses, the system may become:
Overactive
Blunted
Poorly timed

This can lead to symptoms like:
Low energy
Poor sleep
Mood changes
Lower HRV
Higher resting heart rate

Not because the adrenals “failed,” but because the stress system is miscalibrated.

Nervous System Dysregulation

Chronic stress also affects the autonomic nervous system.

You may get stuck in:
Persistent sympathetic activation (“fight or flight”)
Poor parasympathetic recovery (“rest and repair”)

This shows up in recovery data as:
Lower HRV
Slower recovery between sessions
Greater fatigue from normal training loads

The body isn’t broken.

It’s overloaded.

Why the Label Matters

Calling it “adrenal fatigue” suggests a single organ has failed.

In reality, it’s more about:
Total stress load
Poor recovery
Sleep disruption
Nervous system imbalance

The solution isn’t just supplements or hormone fixes.

It’s addressing:
Stress management
Sleep quality
Training load
Nutrition
Recovery habits

The Big Takeaway

“Adrenal fatigue” isn’t the correct medical term — but the experience people describe is very real.

Chronic stress can dysregulate the HPA axis and the nervous system, leading to persistent fatigue, poor recovery, and suppressed HRV.

The body isn’t failing.

It’s asking for a reset in how stress and recovery are balanced.

When you improve sleep, manage training load, and reduce chronic stressors, the system often recalibrates — and recovery capacity returns.