We’ve known for some time now that chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is often associated with measurable changes in the actual structure of the brain – most specifically in the hippocampus of the limbic system. The limbic system is in charge of memory and emotion. So it’s not surprising that an overwhelmingly traumatic experience would cause changes in that area.
What we didn’t know was that garden-variety chronic stress, the kind we all can experience when things get to be too much, can also cause the structure of the brain to change. In a study published in November 2009 in the journal Neuroreport, it was found that rats who endured long-term stress showed measurable, significant shrinkage of the hippocampus in their brains.
OK, you may be saying, “But I’m not a rat!” Well, it turns out that rats and humans have a lot in common when it comes to stress and how we respond to it. A lot of what we know about stress in humans was observed in rats first – and confirmed in humans afterward.
What does this mean to us? Well, it’s too soon to tell for sure, but it suggests that the forgetfulness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and other signs of stress may be due in part to changes in the limbic system’s ability to regulate itself. And over time, it means that if we don’t learn to manage stress, we could be putting our brains at risk – along with our hearts and waistlines.
I know I say this over and over again, but it’s true – moderate exercise is a fundamental part of staying healthy. Research shows that exercise can increase the number of cells in the hippocampus, keeping it working well into old age – staving off the ravages of memory problems and other signs of dementia. So keep walking! Or running… Or dancing…
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Dr. Wheeler,
I appreciate your post and the title. Additionally, the links we quite insightful (but I’ll need more time on the long one on PTSD).
Being ADHD, I’ve plenty of time to bathe in the aroma of this disorder (or “gift” as stated by a notable ADHD source), along with it’s companions of anxiety (GAD) and deep chronic depression. Now, at 60, I wouldn’t know what it’s like NOT to be anxious, because it’s been like this my entire life so my hippocampus may have shrunk as well.
The good news is, as you clearly stated, just walking is exercise, and slowly improving to where we can move the eustress (good) needle on our cardiovascular system with more aggressive workouts. The other recommendations I have read – repeatedly – are sleep, nutrition, meditation, and small gestures of kindness, or expressions of gratitude.
Sorry, but there’s the bad news, and fits in well with our little pink eyed friend. Millions of Americans have been ravaged over the past 5 years. That, along with the examples of how the police brutally assaulted peaceful Occupy protesters, have left many of feeling just like a lab rat – expendable.
Back to the good news. Thanks to you, Doctor Wheeler, and many others who have dedicated their lives to the science of improving health, there have been tremendous strides better understanding the brain. We have enough well studied materials today to positively affect 80% (positively thinking) of our population. However, maybe 10% will opt-in annually, and 1-2% will actually flourish as a result. Do the math. If these people can then encourage another 5 -7 people to try, and another 1-2% succeed, and then…. over time we will see a growing ground swell of POSITIVITY (thanks to Dr. Fredrickson and many others).
I appreciate all the great work, accomplished by amazing minds, just to help the masses who are often controlled by their lizard brain.
Sorry, for being so long winded. I’m just so amped about the opportunities for 10s of millions to experience improved well being through technology, and web based CBT in particular.