Elevated cortisol levels cause physiological changes that aid in replenishing the body's depleted energy resources during the stress reaction. However, they unintentionally lead to the accumulation of fat tissue and weight gain. Cortisol is also known to interfere with insulin metabolism, which can lead to diabetes. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates many aspects of human physiology including mood, blood pressure, resistance to illness, digestion, sexual behavior, and bone health. Excessive amounts of cortisol are toxic to the body and can cause serious long-term effects such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Stress affects everyone differently. For some people, a stressful situation may cause them to have a short-term increase in cortisol levels and then return to normal after it has passed; for others, it may cause them to continue to have elevated levels even after the stress has ended. The main function of cortisol is to maintain homeostasis by helping the body respond effectively to stress. Stress causes the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland which in turn stimulates the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands.