In this section  Risk factors: Introduction  Diet and lifestyle  Social interaction  Stress and emotional wellness  Mental agility and capacity  Smoking, toxins, and alcohol consumption  Head Trauma  Print the Healthy Brain worksheet  Back to main Healthy Brain page

The brain does not deal well with long periods of stress, anxiety, and depression. These kinds of assaults on the brain not only increase the risk of developing dementia, they also make symptoms worse for a person who already has the disease.

Fact 1. During periods of stress, chemicals called 'free radicals' are released into the body. These cause brain and other tissue damage. (Dr. Azad Bonni - Harvard Medical School 2006)

Fact 2. During periods of stress, other chemical imbalances take place in the brain that may lead to side effects such as memory problems, sleep disorder, high blood pressure, and depression. For example, a chemical called cortisol attacks the hippocampus, which is responsible for the short-term memory function. (Lupien et al 1999)

Fact 3. Adequate sleep is essential for brain health - among other things, it helps with clear cognitive thinking and helps to regulate the stress-response mechanism in the brain. (Dr. Stephen Kiraly - The Healthy Brain Program)

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