Stress may contribute to brain shrinkage

It has long been known that stress has a negative impact on human health. But one of the latest studies by scientists has shown that stress may affect the size of the brain.

One recent study conducted with baby monkeys aimed to study how stress would affect the psyche, as well as its long-term consequences.

During the experiment, the scientists divided the babies into two groups: the babies from the first group were left with their mothers for six months, and the second group was separated. The little monkeys, deprived of parental care, had to take care of themselves and their peers. After six months, both groups of monkeys were returned to natural conditions for several months. Then the scientists scanned the babies' brains, the results of which surprised them: the state of stress in which the babies were affected the brain.

In monkeys that were deprived of their mothers' care, areas of the brain associated with stress were enlarged, even though the monkeys had lived in their usual habitat for a long time after the unusual conditions. However, experts cannot say for sure that stress can affect the brain in the future based on this study alone.

Scientists also conducted a study on 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) becomes smaller. However, now the opinion of scientists is divided: some believe that post-traumatic 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 the research.

But while scientists are studying how stress affects the brain in animals, doctors are trying to find the right and, above all, safe way to treat stress in people. The so-called "ecological" approach to treating stress conditions is quite popular among Western doctors. The principle of treatment is to use focused therapy, which causes a minimum of side effects. Many medications are being replaced by modern methods of strengthening the nervous system, for example, molecular activation, the latest development of biologists, is now widely used in the West.

The method is based on placing biologically active substances in an electric field. The peculiarity of this method is that conditions are individually selected for each group of substances. As a result, the electron-nuclear structure of the molecules changes, and they react more effectively and have virtually no side effects.

In Europe, preparations based on activated natural components are quite popular, in the CIS countries there is also a similar preparation (Diprexil). The preparation has a complex effect on the psyche and nervous system, has no side effects, due to the vitamins, minerals, acids included in the composition, it increases performance, 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 condition. Work in this area can help prevent the negative impact of stress not only on the brain, but also on the general condition of a person.

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