Thanks for pointing out the relationship between caloric restriction and cortisol production. Your statements and anecdotes seem to be well supported by the literature.
> Starvation caused a rise in plasma cortisol [...] but no change in total urinary cortisol metabolites. [1]
> very low calorie diet (VLCD) did not alter plasma cortisol and markedly reduced cortisol metabolite excretion [...]. [1]
> Overall, caloric restriction significantly increased serum cortisol level in 13 studies (357 total participants). Fasting showed a very strong effect in increasing serum cortisol, while VLCD and LCD did not show significant increases. [2]
> The meta-regression analysis showed a negative association between the serum cortisol level and the duration of caloric restriction, indicating serum cortisol is increased in the initial period of caloric restriction but decreased to the baseline level after several weeks. [2]
> Starvation caused a rise in plasma cortisol [...] but no change in total urinary cortisol metabolites. [1]
> very low calorie diet (VLCD) did not alter plasma cortisol and markedly reduced cortisol metabolite excretion [...]. [1]
> Overall, caloric restriction significantly increased serum cortisol level in 13 studies (357 total participants). Fasting showed a very strong effect in increasing serum cortisol, while VLCD and LCD did not show significant increases. [2]
> The meta-regression analysis showed a negative association between the serum cortisol level and the duration of caloric restriction, indicating serum cortisol is increased in the initial period of caloric restriction but decreased to the baseline level after several weeks. [2]
[1] Influence of short-term dietary weight loss on cortisol secretion and metabolism in obese men https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexandra-Johnstone/pub...
[2] Systematic review and meta-analysis reveals acutely elevated plasma cortisol following fasting but not less severe calorie restriction https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/10253890.2015.11...