Brain Damaging Habits You Should Definitely Avoid

Frequent And Prolonged Stress

Everyone has to deal with some level of stress every day, but frequent and prolonged stress can lead to brain damage. Chronic stress increases an individual's susceptibility to mental illness, and it can worsen the effects of already-existing mental illness. Stress also changes the function and structure of the brain. The brain produces myelin, a protective coating that helps speed up neuron connections. But patients with chronic stress produce too much myelin, and not only does this cause short-term issues, but it also causes long-term changes to the brain's structure. Another study indicated prolonged stress could kill new neurons formed in the hippocampus. This portion of the brain is associated with learning, memory, and emotion. Frequent stress can also lead to shrinking in the parts of the brain that regulate memory, metabolism, and emotions.

Learn more about habits to avoid for brain health now.