I remember reading somewhere that the copper will at first stimulate the adrenals before exhausting them. I lowered my cortisol that was high before starting copper detox. I didn't plan it that way. Now I am wishing I had just detoxed. Zinc will lower cortisol and it sure did for me after I was taking it awhile. But the lows you get with zinc didn't seem like real crashes as I recovered from them way quicker than real crashes. Gradually you don't crash as much and your adreanals strengthen and you can tolerate more zinc. Or that the way it's worked for me. I think I remember Lorado saying the same thing. I took it slow so it did take a long time but I had normal ceruloplasmin also. I think your smart in being so cautious.