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Stress is a normal psychological and physical response to the demands of life. In other words, stress is natural and even has some health benefits. The body’s “fight or flight” response is a chain of reactions that occurs whenever we are faced with a sudden stressful or even life-threatening situation. It triggers the production of hormones and specific brain activity which is needed to run faster or kick harder.
In addition to helping us cope with life situations stress has other useful functions. A small amount of acute stress can prompt action, improve concentration and induce feelings of satisfaction or fulfilment after the stressful event is over.
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Effects of prolonged stress on the body
But the keywords in that last sentence are ‘after the stressful event is over’. Otherwise, excessive stress continuing over a period of time damages the brain. Prolonged stress slows down brain blood flow and causes plaques to form which narrow arteries and can even permanently damage them. When we are stressed muscles tense up, especially in the neck, which further reduces blood flow to the brain.
The effect of stress on neurons
Chronic stress is a terrible thing for neurons. If stress levels rise for too long the brain is unable to participate in neurogenesis and worse, can begin to kill cells. Chronic stress also leads to the ageing of brain tissue and can affect the lifespan of neurons in a similar way to a concussion or the onset of a neuro-degenerative disorder. The remaining live brain cells are not particularly healthy either. Chronic stress causes neurons to become overactive. This can create new neural pathways over time which alters the way your brain works.
Effect of cortisol on the body
We can’t talk about stress without talking about the hormone which is largely responsible for these harmful effects: cortisol. Cortisol is produced when we experience stress of any type – both good and bad. A small amount of cortisol is not harmful and even has some positive effects. Excess cortisol has terrible effects on the body, from weight gain and sleep disturbances to a shrinking of the hippocampus, which interferes with the ability to concentrate and remember facts and circumstances. The hormone can increase the size and activity level of the amygdala which helps give memories emotional meaning. A more active amygdala can make us more sensitive to fear and anxiety.
Chronic stress has other effects as well. It can provoke the creation of more white matter, the fatty tissue which makes up half of the brain tissue where a lot of neural communication takes place.
Too much white matter means less room for grey matter – the place where the brain processes all physical, emotional and behavioural aspects. This imbalance can create emotional and cognitive problems that don’t go away when prolonged stress finally passes.
Stress as a consequence of emotional and physical impacts
Most people associate stress with emotional difficulties resulting from a traumatic event, for example, selling a home, illness or injury, coping with work pressures, paying bills and caring for children or other family members.
But stress also manifests itself in other forms. Physical stress can be caused by illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes and dementia. It can also be triggered by high blood pressure, poor diet, lack of sleep and chronic dehydration. Chronic stress can also manifest itself as a consequence of excessive exercise or lack of body movement.
Environmental Stress
In addition to mental, emotional, and physical stress, humans can be exposed to environmental stress, a growing problem in today’s world where chemicals are used to produce virtually everything we eat, drink, wear, put on our skin and use in our homes and offices. Air pollution, present in every molecule we breathe, can increase stress and be particularly harmful to the brain, increasing the risk of cognitive decline and disease.
Effect of EMF on stress levels
There’s more bad news: although many mobile phone manufacturers claim that the low levels of radiation from their products are harmless, studies show otherwise. Studies of phones show that electromagnetic fields can alter brain excitability. Too much activity can overexcite neurons, which impairs brain health and function. EMFs can also restrict blood flow to the brain, cause memory loss and even damage neuronal DNA.
Evidence also suggests that EMFs can affect the body’s sleep cycle and energy levels as well as contribute to other medical problems such as weight gain, headaches, dizziness and even cancer.
