Epigenetics and cortisol levels

[Cinders]

Hello

 

I'm getting slightly confused with a part of one of my projects, I'm trying to write about elevated cortisol levels that have been passed on epigenetically from fetal development, my understanding is that cortisol is released with adrenaline to give you a mental a physical fight or flight response, cortisol then stays in the body longer which if prolonged will ultimately wear out your heart and deteriorate the hippocampus.

 

But I've read a couple of different articles that say different things, some say cortisol is released to slow down the production of adrenaline and if too much adrenaline is produced then more cortisol is produced, but because cortisol stays in the system longer it will still have the same negative effects,

 

Some have said cortisol is good and stops adrenaline..

Also if you pass on elevated amounts of cortisol then how does this affect the child? does it cause the child to develop more glucocorticoid receptors?

Basically I'm now very confused as to what it's role is, please help?