MOMENTARY STRESS CAN DAMAGE MEMORY ABILITIES

HEATED discussions with work colleagues and tight deadlines can undermine memory and learning. Researchers found chemicals released in response to acute stress undermined communication between brain cells involved in the formation and processing of memories. While previous studies have demontrated that increased production of certain hormones caused by stress over periods of weeks, months and years can damage recall abilities, the new reseach suggests that one-off stressful situations can have the same effect.