Summary of "How stress affects your brain - Madhumita Murgia"

Key Wellness Strategies and Self-Care Techniques to Manage Stress

Understanding Stress and Its Effects

Stress activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing cortisol to prepare the body for action. However, chronic stress and prolonged high cortisol levels can have detrimental effects on the brain, including:

Shrinking brain areas such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which impairs memory, learning, decision-making, and social behavior.
Causing epigenetic changes that affect gene expression related to stress sensitivity. These changes can be inherited across generations.

Negative Brain Impacts of Chronic Stress

Chronic stress can lead to several negative changes in brain function and structure:

Increased activity in the amygdala (the brain’s fear center).
Deterioration of hippocampus function, affecting learning, memory, and stress control.
Shrinking of the prefrontal cortex, which impairs concentration, judgment, and social interaction.
Reduced production of new brain cells in the hippocampus.
Increased risk of serious mental health issues such as depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

Positive Interventions to Reverse Stress Effects

Several interventions have been shown to help counteract the negative effects of stress on the brain:

Exercise: Regular physical activity reduces stress and promotes growth in the hippocampus, enhancing memory and overall brain function.
Meditation: Practices involving deep breathing and focused awareness help lower stress levels and increase hippocampal size.

Additional Insights

Early life nurturing plays a significant role in influencing stress sensitivity later in life through epigenetic mechanisms.
Effective stress management is crucial to prevent long-term brain changes and maintain cognitive health.

Presenter: Madhumita Murgia