[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/09\/stress-affects-brain\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/09\/stress-affects-brain\/","headline":"How Stress Affects Your Brain","name":"How Stress Affects Your Brain","description":"Learn how chronic stress can affect your brain.","datePublished":"2014-09-19","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","name":"Neurosurgery","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/neurosurgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/stressed-out.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/stressed-out.png","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/09\/stress-affects-brain\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Neurosurgery and Brain Health"],"wordCount":485,"keywords":["brain","brain cells","chronic stress","de-stress","depression","diet","hippocampus","sleep","sleep apnea","sleep disorders","stress"],"articleBody":"For most people, stress is an everyday occurrence. Dealing with finances, hectic work schedules, childcare, and countless other responsibilities can make you feel like your life is spiraling out of control. Yet, some people can handle it well and find ways to manage, while for others, stress begins to take its toll. And not just physically, but where you’d least expect it \u2013 your brain. The following information will help you gain a better understanding for how stress affects your brain and ways to improve how you deal with stress in the future.Destroying Brain CellsWhen you’re under stress, your body releases adrenalin into your bloodstream, giving your brain bursts of energy. When under longer periods of it, your body goes all out and releases a class of stronger steroidal hormones, called glucocorticoids, which can remain in your brain far longer than adrenalin. Now, this is all well and good and can help you get by in tough situations, but when under constant, chronic stress, these hormones can begin to have lasting effects. None of which are positive.When these hormones are released, they head directly for the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is involved in memory forming, organizing, and storing. When chronic stress occurs, these hormones become unbalanced, which can kill cells in the hippocampus, and over time can lead to confusion and memory and learning difficulties.Shrinking Your BrainYes your brain can actually shrink from having too much stress in your life. A recent study from Yale University showed that chronic stress can reduce brain volume, leading to impaired cognition and hampered emotional function. Why does this happen, you might ask? The genes that control synaptic connections (the connections between nerve cells) malfunction, causing fewer connections and lower brain volume. However, the good news is that this change is not permanent. When your stress passes and synaptic connections levels return to normal, your brain rebounds to its normal size.Brain Chemical DepletionUnder a state of chronic stress, the chemicals that carry messages from one nerve to another begin to deplete, causing the brain to become sluggish and inefficient. This can cause an array of health effects, including:DepressionDifficulty concentrating and making decisionsAbsent-mindednessSleep disordersObsessive or compulsive behaviorsIncreased hostility, worry, or guiltSave your Brain \u2013 Simple Ways to De-stressWhile stress is bound to happen at some point during your life, there are many ways to help alleviate it, including:Being physically active at least 30 minutes a day, five days a weekEating a healthy, well-balanced dietDrinking enough waterPerforming deep breathing exercisesLimiting alcohol consumptionGetting proper sleep (6 to 8 hours per night)Although it may not be the biggest organ in our body, the brain is certainly the most important. It plays the center role in our daily thoughts and activities. Preserving it is crucial to living a happy and fulfilling life."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Stress Affects Your Brain","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/09\/stress-affects-brain\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]