Stress and Memory

Memory is a very important cognitive process that permits us to learn new information, retain experiences forever, and create our life story. Deep inside the temporal lobes (just beneath each temple on the side of your head) is a structure called the "hippocampus." I believe the hippocampus is the most important part of your body because it is responsible for creating new memories and for learning. We learned in 1998 the hippocampus generates new brain cells, known as neurogenesis. The hippocampus is vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is why persons with AD demonstrate memory problems as an early sign of the progressive disorder. It turns out the hippocampus is also vulnerable to chronic stress. When you experience a stimulus internal or external that you deem threatening a structure in your brain called the "amygdala" is triggered. The amygdala tells the brain and the body something is threatening and you are in danger. Your brain reacts by setting off the sympathetic nervous system that leads to a faster heart beat, enlarged lungs for greater oxygen flow, increased blood flow to your larger muscles such as the biceps and quads, and essentially a turning off of your digestive and reproductive systems while you deal with the threat. The other thing that happens is your brain unleashes neuropinephrine and the body adrenaline and also hormones such as cortisol to help increase your level of attention and arousal to deal with the stressor. If this natural stress response does not stop, it can do structural and functional damage to your brain. Indeed, if the amygdala does not settle, the hippocampus (learning and memory) will shut down. This is precisely why many individuals in their 50s and 60s report memory problems and may even fear having AD. For most, the issue is too much stress that is not effectively dealt with. Daily breathing, meditation, yoga, exercise, prayer, and quiet times in your space are necessary for a healthy brain and serve as a shield for your hippocampus! This is why I have included a Brain Health Studio in my new Brain Health Center. We all need a place to settle.

Dr. Nussbaum
Brain Health Center
www.brainhealthctr.com