Stress Мight Lead to Memory Loss and Brain Shrinkage, Study Says

Listen up, gen-Xers and millennials, and, well, everybody who has a brain. If you live a high-stress life, you could have memory loss and brain shrinkage before you turn 50, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Neurology, quoted by CNN.

"Higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, seem to predict brain function, brain size and performance on cognitive tests," said study author Dr. Sudha Seshadri, professor of neurology at UT Health San Antonio."We found memory loss and brain shrinkage in relatively young people long before any symptoms could be seen," Seshadri said. "It's never too early to be mindful of reducing stress." Cortisol is one of the body's key stress hormones, best known for its role in our "flight or fight" instincts. When we are stressed and on high alert, the adrenal glands produce more cortisol. The hormone then goes to work shutting down various bodily functions that might get in the way of survival.

Once the crisis has passed, cortisol levels should drop, and the body systems should return to normal. But if your alarm button stays pressed, the body can continue to malfunction, leading to anxiety, depression, heart disease, headaches, weight gain, trouble sleeping, and, of course, memory and concentration problems.

The brain is especially vulnerable, say experts, because of all of the nutrients it needs to function optimally."The brain is a very hungry organ," said Keith Fargo, who directs scientific programs and outreach for the Alzheimer's Association. "It requires an outsized amount of nutrients and oxygen to keep it healthy and functioning properly. So, when the body needs those resources to deal with stress, there's less to go around to the brain."High stress connected to memory lossPrevious...