Adrenocorticotropic hormone, also known as corticotropin or ACTH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Along with the corticotropin-releasing hormone produced by the hypothalamus, it regulates the production of the body's own production of corticosteroids and the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. ACTH is part of a complex system of hormone regulation, and it's production is regularly increased and decreased in response to the level of other hormones in the body. Stress and sleep are part of this regulatory process, with stress increasing the level of hormone production.