The Peter Attia Drive cover image

The Peter Attia Drive

The impact of stress on our physical and emotional health | Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D. (#51 rebroadcast)

Apr 24, 2023
02:15:33

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Chronic exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids can impair memory consolidation and synaptic connections in the hippocampus, emphasizing the importance of maintaining optimal stress levels for healthy hippocampal function.
  • Maternal stress during pregnancy can induce epigenetic changes in the fetus, affecting brain development and increasing susceptibility to mental health disorders later in life.

Deep dives

Impact of Stress on the Hippocampus

Chronic exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids, such as in cases of chronic stress, can have detrimental effects on the hippocampus. The hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning and memory, is particularly sensitive to glucocorticoids. Elevated levels of glucocorticoids can impair memory consolidation and synaptic connections in the hippocampus, as well as hinder the birth of new neurons. This can lead to difficulties in learning and memory processes. On the other hand, moderate levels of stress can enhance hippocampal function and memory consolidation. Thus, it is important to maintain an optimal range of stress levels to support healthy hippocampal function.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode