Licorice Root (Glycyrrhizin)
Also called black licorice
What Huberman said
Huberman warns that people with high blood pressure, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding, absolutely should not consume black licorice, and that anyone using it should start with the lowest possible dose. He says its glycyrrhizin raises circulating cortisol by inhibiting the enzyme that converts cortisol to cortisone; in 2021 he said studies showed substantial increases in cortisol and blood pressure and decreases in testosterone and estrogen, so it seemed a bad idea if you are optimising those hormones or under chronic stress. In his most recent statement (2025) he says that on a day you can't boost morning cortisol in other ways, maybe try a small amount of licorice root.
Cautions he mentions
- Start with the lowest possible dose of licorice root if you're going to use it in capsule form.[1]
- If you suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you absolutely do not want to eat black licorice.[1]
- Be cautious about not spiking your cortisol too much, especially if you're eating it later in the day.[1]
- "If you're trying to optimize testosterone and estrogen, licorice seems like a bad idea."[2]
- Probably not the thing to be ingesting during periods of chronic stress.[2]
- It can produce pretty substantial increases in blood pressure.[2]
- If using it (e.g. when traveling), time it so you're not getting two cortisol increases, two peaks, in a day.[2]
Where he said it
- 1
“Start with the lowest possible dose of licorice root if you're going to use it in capsule form.”
How to Control Your Cortisol & Overcome Burnout
Episode · 01:02:51 · 2025
- 2
“Also, if you're trying to optimize testosterone and estrogen, licorice seems like a bad idea.”
Using Cortisol & Adrenaline to Boost Our Energy & Immune System
Episode · 01:25:50 · 2021
Related
This page reports what Andrew Huberman has said. It isn’t medical advice and NSDR.co isn’t affiliated with Huberman Lab. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or have a health condition. Safety information