What are the long-term and short-term effects of stress on the body brain and behavior?

Answer 1

The long term effects of stress on the body may result in the immune system being weakened. The stress may not be all negative stress. Positive stress, such as working out and being particularly active may weaken the immune system, although not being active enough may also weaken the immune system. Too many stressors can affect the body's immune system.

A short term effect of stress on the body could result in the 'fight or flight response being triggered. This response shuts down other parts of the body that is not needed in an emergency response such as a bear chasing after you in the woods. The body would simply shut down the digestion cycle in the body. This would retain energy for other responses and provide oxygen to other muscles that would need it to fight off the bear, or run away.

A long term effect of stress on the brain may result in memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer's. This is caused by continuous stressors and lack of positive things in our life that may help reduce the negative stress. Relaxation among exercise is needed to maintain a healthy and proactive lifestyle.

A short term effect of stress on the brain may result in learning difficulties and impair the cell communication between neurons in our brains. Cortisol is released into the brain when in a stressful situation; the cortisol dissipates across the brain and affects the hippocampus which is vital for memory creation and function. Although cortisol does not remain in the brain for long, prolonged exposure to the drug may lead to further long term affects.

A long term effect of stress on behavior may result in a person being overweight and unhealthy due to not eating a healthy diet while being under stress. When a person is under stress behavior can have an effect on the mediators that increase the stress or decrease the stress. Smoking, drinking and eating excessively may be a result of a coping mechanism due to stress. However the behavior does not result in achieving the stress being lowered.

A short term effect of stress on behavior may result in a person driving faster in a car due to a stressor. An example of a stressor could be a pregnant wife being rushed to the hospital. The stressor affects the behavior but this is only short term. Influences like these stressors may be positive and negative stressors. They can lead to long term stressors over time if the behavior is repeated in pattern such as smoking a cigarettes over a long period of time can lead to mediators that contribute towards cancer and Heart disease.