Stress impairs a person's memory

June 23, 2014

Related Articles:

• Signs of Depression
• Neurotic state
• Reasons dysphoria
• Tablets from insomnia without addiction

Tweet

If as a result of stress in the body increases the content Cortisol The so-called stress hormone, in the end a person may experience marked disturbances in memory.

The short increase in the concentration of this hormone - an important condition for human survival. Increase its level in the body improves concentration, enhances the ability to quickly make important decisions, thus helping to effectively transfer the trials of life. However, the last statement is true only after brief infatuation cortisol. If a person says chronic stress and hence prolonged levels of this hormone rise, the negative consequences of unavoidable. In particular, there is an increased level of anxiety, problems in the digestive tract, growth rates Blood Pressure Weight gain.

Recently, a new study in which experts examined how the hormone affects the function of the human brain. The experiment itself was as follows: young and old experimental rats, which indicated different levels of cortisol, were placed in a T-shaped maze. To pass a maze, the animals needed a clear short-term memory. That is, for obtaining food rat had to remember where they turn in the maze a few seconds ago, then rotate in the opposite direction. As a result, older animals that have had an increased level of cortisol, the right turned in 58% of cases. At the same time 80% of the rodents with low cortisol easy to get to the tidbits.

Analysis of the scholars underwent tissue prefrontal cortex of animals Which determines short-term memory. It was found that in rats with elevated levels of this hormone was noted at 20% less synapses than animals that belonged to the second group and almost equal to young rats, the results of tests on the level of memory.

Thus, the researchers were able to conclude that the long lasting effect on the body of the stress hormone blows to substantial reduction in the number of nerve cells on the prefrontal area of ​​the brain. Therefore, scientists have argued that people experiencing chronic stress or staying in the doldrums, it is imperative to pass a course of special treatment.

Psychologists advise to be sure to be attentive to his own state of mind and to avoid prolonged stress.

To combat anxiety states are, in particular, it is advised to describe on paper what is causing increased anxiety. Assist and breathing exercises: to reduce stress levels, need some time to breathe deeply and slowly. It is important to recognize their condition. The man who realizes that he is in a state of anxiety, can more effectively gather and think about how to overcome the difficult period. In addition, we must be able to be distracted by positive thoughts and draw in his own imagination positive images that are not connected to a source of anxiety.