Stress and your brain
0The stress hormone cortisol gets some bad press, but it does have an important role to play in your body. It's involved in a range of processes, including metabolism, immunity and memory formation. With cortisol, however, as with most hormones, it’s all about getting the balance right. A good dose of cortisol gets you going, but too much can cause damage.
Another worrying side effect of ongoing stress is the impact it has on the brain, and in turn on the entire nervous system. Several studies have found that chronic stress can lead to a “wasting” away of brain mass and a reduction in its weight. These structural changes in the brain can bring about differences in a person’s response to stress, as well as changes to their memory and ability to learn.