How Stress Affects Your Brain: The Science Explained
Shikha Sharma
What is Stress?
In simple words, stress is the body’s response to challenges that we experience. Short-term stress can boost performance and constant stress harms the brain.
Cortisol: The Stress Hormone
Cortisol is a hormone that the body releases when we are under stress. An excess amount of cortisol can shrink the brain’s size, particularly the area that works for our learning, memory and emotions.
Memory & Learning
Due to an impact on the hippocampus area of the brain that works for learning, memory and emotions, over time, it becomes harder to retain information.
Emotional Regulation
The amygdala is the part which is responsible for emotions and becomes overactive under stress which can result in anxiety, fear, and heightened emotional responses.
Focus & Concentration
The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, focus, and problem-solving; gets badly affected by prolonged stress and sometimes impairment.
Depression Risk
Continuous stress triggers the risk of depression, caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine.
Sleep Disturbances
Stress can affect sleep and harm brain functions like memory consolidation, problem-solving, and mood regulation.
How to Manage
Meditation, exercise, and adequate sleep can help reduce stress and protect our brains.