Stress can help reduce the brain
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The fact that stress has a negative impact on human health has been known for a long time. But one of the latest studies of scientists has shown that a stressful state, perhaps, affects the size of the brain.
One of the recent studies with young monkeys was to study how stress affects the psyche, as well as its long-term effects.
During the experiment, the scientists divided the cubs into two groups: the kids from the first group were left with their mothers for six months, and the second group was separated. Small monkeys deprived of parental care needed to take care of themselves, as well as care for their peers. Six months later, both groups of monkeys were returned to natural conditions for several months. Then the scientists made a scan of the brain of the young, the result of which surprised them: the state of stress in which the babies were located had an impact on the brain.
In monkeys that were deprived of the care of their mothers, the areas in the brain that are associated with stress were increased, even though, after unusual conditions, monkeys lived in their usual habitat for quite some time. However, specialists can not claim only on the basis of this study that stress can affect the brain in the future.
Scientists also conducted a study in rats, which showed that under the influence of constant stress the size of the hippocampus (the area of the brain responsible for creating memories and emotions) is getting smaller. However, now the opinion of scientists is divided: some believe that posttraumatic stress disorder contributes to the reduction of the hippocampus, while others believe that a person with a small hippocampus is predisposed to such disorders, so the scientists plan to continue research.
But while scientists are studying how stress affects the brain in animals, doctors are trying to find the right and, above all, a safe way to treat stress in people. Among Western doctors, the so-called "ecological" approach to the treatment of stressful conditions is quite popular. The principle of treatment is the use of focused therapy, which causes a minimum of adverse reactions. Many medications are being replaced by modern methods of strengthening the nervous system, for example, molecular activation is now widely used in the west, the latest development of biologists.
The method is based on placing the biologically active substances in the electric field. The peculiarity of this method is that for each group of substances the conditions are individually selected. As a result, the molecules change the electron-nuclear structure, and they react more efficiently and do not practically have side effects.
In Europe, preparations based on activated natural ingredients are quite popular, in the CIS countries there is also a similar drug (diprexyl). The drug has a complex effect on the psyche and the nervous system, has no side effects, due to the constituent vitamins, minerals, acids, increases efficiency, improves mood, memory, normalizes sleep, reduces anxiety, stress.
Now the problem of stress is also relevant and scientists continue to work on studying and analyzing this state. Work in this area can help prevent the negative impact of stress not only on the brain, but also the general state of a person.
[