Brain Development
The Effect of Stress on the Human Brain
Being under stress can induce many negative effects
on a person's academic performance. Although there are many forms of
stress, the two main types in which most students are affected by are
those that induce an emotional and mental physiological strain. Human
stress has always been an accompaniment to life and has been documented
numerous times in the past. In fact, nearly 2000 years ago, ancient
Greek physicians noted that most people suffering from stress were more
likely than others to develop cancer. Although these observations are
far outdated, they still hold some form of truth, since stress almost
always contributes to symptoms associated with a particular problem. A
teacher knowledgeable in this field of study will agree that building a
stress-free classroom environment will ensure a brain-friendly setting
and enhance learning so that all students can reach their learning
goals.
Figure 7. The Scream (1893) by
Edvard Munch. This painting depicts an agonized figure overwhelmed by:
stress? Anxiety? Or perhaps both.
During a time of stress, the adrenal cortex (the
outer portion of the adrenal gland) releases one of many hormones called
cortisol. Cortisol is a regulatory hormone involved in proper glucose
metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, and insulin release for blood
sugar maintenance (Campbell & Reece, 2005). When a person experiences an
enormous amount of stress over a long period of time, the adrenal cortex
continues to release large quantities of cortisol. Cortisol moves its
way into the brain and inhibits glucose transport and metabolism of
several brain regions, including the hippocampus (Horner et al.,
1990). As part of the limbic system (Figure 2), the hippocampus is
associated with emotion and homeostasis, and plays a major role in
regulating the secretion of cortisol via feedback (Krey et al.,
1986). Without an energy source to the hippocampus, cortisol is
continually produced and the brain's overall functionality slows down,
including ones normal memory function and state of mind. This
semi-sequential process is outlined in detailed below. Furthermore,
stress also impairs a person's immune response. In one study, immune
function in college students were examined just after a vacation and
again during final exams. Their immune systems were impaired in various
ways during exam week; for example, interferon (proteins involved in
immune response) levels were lower (Campbell & Reece, 2005).
Figure 8. The limbic system. A ring
of structures around the brainstem.
It is important to note that all students vary in
sensitivity to an environmental stimuli. That is, each student has their
own unique sensitivity meter to a potential stressor, such as odors,
sounds, as well the teacher's emotional state. Therefore, a teacher
should not assume that their maximum stress level is the same as their
students. Some people can work in a loud environment and not lose
concentration; while others may find it distracting, even to a point
where they stop what they are doing until the stimuli is alleviated. In
a test situation, this may be stressful for students who prefer a quiet
classroom to think clearly. If a teacher pays little attention to the
class during a test, students under stress may not be able to recollect
any memories to successfully complete their test. Anxiety levels may
also cause students to panic, worry, or "go blank." When possible, an
educator should eliminate any unnecessary distractions caused by
lighting, noise, temperature, and uncomfortable chairs, so that students
may feel less distracted and more relaxed in their learning experience
at school. If the teacher is having a bad day, they must try to avoid
expressing their emotions in class and taking it out on their students.
This situation can increase the emotional climate of the classroom and
have a strong impact on every students' stress level, especially when
they are in need of help but do not feel comfortable enough to approach
their teacher. A further major cause of stress, most notably social
stress, for most teenagers is bullying. When a person is bullied,
survival becomes a higher priority than anything else on the student's
mind. As a result, students who are bullied usually become less
attentive in class, loss concentration, and give-up quite easily. An
educator who understands the effects of stress on the brain will
responsibly analyze the cause of the problem and provide objective
solutions for the student to consider when in conflict. The human brain
is an incredible bodily instrument capable of regulating a myriad of
functions. An educator who appreciates how the brain functions will have
an even greater appreciation playing a part in developing the young
minds of tomorrow.
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