How Stress Affects the Brain - 5/13/17

Related image



Summary: Stress takes a variety of forms. Some stress happens as the result of a short-term event such as having an argument with a loved one. Other stress happens due to recurring situations, such as working a demanding job. When recurring situations cause stress that is both intense and sustained over a long period of time, this is known as chronic stress. Even though all stress triggers physiological reactions, chronic stress is a big problem because of the significant harm it can do to the body and the brain. When someone experiences a stressful event, an area of the brain that contributes to emotional processing sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus. This area of the brain functions like a command center, communicating with the rest of the body through the nervous system so that the person has the energy to fight or flee. This “fight-or-flight” response is responsible for the physical reactions most people correlate with stress including increased heart rate, enhanced senses, a deeper intake of oxygen and the rush of adrenaline. Sequentially, a hormone called cortisol is released, which helps to restore the energy lost in the response. When the stressful event is over, cortisol levels drop and the body returns to stasis.  These reactions can be beneficial in certain situations. In addition to returning balance to the body after a stressful event, cortisol helps control blood sugar levels in cells and has useful value in the hippocampus, where memories are stored and processed. However, the buildup of cortisol in the brain can have long-term effects. Therefore, chronic stress can lead to health problems. When chronic stress is endured, the body makes more cortisol than it has a chance to release. This is when cortisol and stress can lead to trouble. High levels of cortisol can wear down the brain’s ability to function properly. Chronic stress has a shrinking effect on the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

S&EP - Communicating Information:
Communicating information is a very important part in science. This week my group and I communicated information in the form of a poster to help people who have just experienced a natural disaster. This poster gave information and helpful tips to care for their mental health through this devestating time. On our poster, we gave the victims 3 ways to relax and take their minds off of the stressful situation. They could take time to connect with others who have survived the same disasters as them. People could also practice yoga and meditate. As well as writing your thoughts and frustrations in a journal of some sort. As you can see, we communicated information in the form of a poster to help people stay healthy after a life changing event.

XCC - Cause and Effect:
While learning about the effects of chronic stress, I noticed a cause and effect relationship. I noticed that when you have chronic stress, the body makes more  cortisol than it has a chance to release. Low levels of cortisol can be beneficial, but when too much is produced the brain looses its ability to function properly. Too much cortisol can create a shrinking effect on the prefrontal cortex. All for all, there are many cause and effect relationships between stress, mental health, and natural disasters.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Amedeo Avogadro - 5/27/18

Image
Summary : Amedeo Avogadro was an Italian scientist who created what is now known as Avogadro's law. Known as a founder of the atomic-molecular theory, he was the first scientist to realize that elements could exist in the form of molecules rather than as individual atoms. His biggest contribution to science, Avogadro’s law, states that equal volumes of gasses under the same conditions of pressure and temperature will contain an equal number of molecules. Amedeo Avogadro was born on August 9th 1776 to Filippo Avogadro and Anna Maria Vercellone. Coming from a family of lawyers, Advogadro was guided to a legal career, and became a bachelor of jurisprudence in 1792. Despite a successful legal career; Avogadro has started private studies of mathematics and physics, which then he pursued full time. SP8 - Communicating Information : This week, I communicated information in the form of a wanted poster about a certain scientist. I decided to create a wanted poster about Am...
Read more

Roller Coaster Project Blog - 2/18/18

Summary : A roller coaster ride is a thrilling experience which involves a lot of physics. Part of the physics of a roller coaster is the physics of work and energy. The ride often begins as a chain and motor which exerts a force on the train of cars to lift the train to the top of a vary tall hill. Once the cars are lifted to the top of the hill, gravity takes over and the remainder of the ride is an experience in energy transformation. At the top of the hill, the cars possess a large amount of potential energy. Potential energy is dependent upon the mass of the object and the height of the object. As the cars descend the first drop they lose much of this potential energy in accord with their loss of height. The cars subsequently gain kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is dependent upon the mass of the object and the speed of the object. Therefore, their original potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy. Backward-Looking:  How much did you know about the subject befor...
Read more

The Designer Species Project - Project Blog 11/5/17

Summary: The Fobra is a new species of frog with the body of a red-eyed tree frog, the eyes of an owl, the fangs of a king cobra, and the claws of a squirrel. Since the fobra lives in planet C, a tropical planet with much rainforest and vegetation, our frog can "nest" itself in the plants to stay warm. To stay cool the fobra can soak itself in puddles and absorb the moisture. The fobra is also a warm-blooded animal. The fobra uses both its tongue and teeth to eat, depending on the size of animal it is eating. With the claws similar to squirrels, the fobra will be able to get away and climb up on trees faster, making predators unable to get it. As well having the bite similar to the king cobra, our species will bite predators when it feels threatened or scared by predators that are after them. The fobra will be able to strike extremely quickly, like a cobra, in self-defense. Red-eyed tree frogs will lay clutches of eggs on the underside of leaves that are standing abo...
Read more