Chronic stress can negatively affect long-term memory by causing changes in the brain, especially in the hippocampus, which is essential for forming and retrieving memories. When stress is prolonged, the body releases high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. While short bursts of cortisol can help with memory consolidation, consistently elevated cortisol levels can damage neurons and reduce the brain’s ability to create new neurons, a process called neurogenesis. This damage impairs learning and memory over time.
Stress also causes inflammation in the brain, which further harms cognitive functions and may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Structural changes such as shrinking of the hippocampus and loss of connections between neurons have been observed in people experiencing chronic stress. These changes reduce the brain’s plasticity, meaning its ability to adapt and form new memories is weakened.
Reducing chronic stress can help improve long-term memory by lowering cortisol levels, decreasing inflammation, and allowing the brain to recover its normal structure and function. Techniques that manage stress, such as mindfulness, exercise, and therapy, may support brain health and memory by preventing or reversing some of the harmful effects caused by prolonged stress exposure.
Sources
https://cymbiotika.com/blogs/health-hub/can-high-levels-of-stress-cause-memory-loss-understanding-the-connection-between-stress-and-cognitive-function
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12590241/
https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/108593
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-025-03716-6
