WHOOP Podcast cover image

Understanding stress: How it affects sleep performance and cognitive functioning

WHOOP Podcast

00:00

Metabolic Cost of Stress on Brain Function

The human brain is metabolically expensive, comprising only 2-3% of body weight but using 20-30% of energy resources. Under stress, the brain prioritizes survival actions over deep thinking, leading to erratic breathing and breath-holding. Erratic breathing triggers the brain to allocate energy to essential functions like big muscle groups, heart, and lungs, causing an amygdala hijack where brain function decreases under stress.

Transcript
Play full episode

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app