A new study from UC Irvine School of Medicine suggests that short term stress -- defined as that lasting less than a few hours -- can have a negative impact on the communication of neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with learning and memory.
Researchers discovered that short term stress involves molecules called corticotropin releasing hormones (CRH) which interfere with the way the brain processes and stores memories.
They hope to develop a drug that can be used to block CRH and effectively eliminate the damage to the brain caused by acute stress. However learning to manage stress naturally is probably a more effective way of protecting the brain. Meditation, deep breathing and yoga have all been found to reduce levels of stress without resorting to pharmacology as many medications have unwanted side effects that can have their own adverse consequences on health and well being.
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