Daily Stress
In the fast-paced world we live in today, most people are familiar with stress. Stress can be characterized by being in a state of worry or mental tension caused by a perceived difficult situation. Whether it be financial hardships, upcoming deadlines, or tasks that keep piling up, there really is no limit to what can cause an individual to experience stress.
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Acute Stress vs Chronic Stress
Stress isn’t all bad though. Acute stress, or temporary stress that subsides when the triggering event has passed, is a necessary function that pushes us to meet those deadlines or change our actions and budget to ease financial hardship. The negative effects of stress come into play when it becomes chronic. Chronic stress is a prolonged feeling that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. This can put your body at an increased risk of experiencing reduced immune function, depression, and anxiety.
Stress Hormone: CRH
When faced with stressful situations, our brain releases a hormone called CRH (Corticotrophin-releasing hormone). This hormone plays a crucial role in our body’s response to stress. However, an excessive amount of CRH can lead to oxidative stress in microglia cells – the brain’s immune cells. In simpler terms, these cells experience damage caused by harmful free radicals, also known as unstable atoms.
Stress Impact on Cognition
One of the most crippling outcomes of chronic stress is cognitive impairment, which can lead to memory loss. Substances known as nootropics have shown merit for counteracting the negative effects of chronic stress such as impaired memory. Nootropics are often referred to as “smart drugs” or substances that boost cognitive function in some way. Learn more in our beginner guide here.
Recent Research: The Choline Adaptogen Stack
A 2023 study’s primary goal was to determine if the combination of popular nootropics choline, ashwagandha, and bacopa monnieri could counteract the damaging effects of oxidative stress caused by CRH. First, let’s briefly introduce the nootropics.
Choline
Choline is vital for brain health and the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, cognition, and muscle coordination. This substance comes in various forms such as Choline Bitartrate, Alpha-GPC, and CDP Choline. Each variant absorbs in the body differently and benefits can differ slightly.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, scientifically known as Withania somnifera, is an ancient medicinal herb native to India and North Africa. It operates by modulating the body’s response to stress, potentially helping to reduce cortisol levels and mitigate the effects of anxiety and mental fatigue. Besides its stress-relieving attributes, some studies indicate Ashwagandha may offer neuroprotective properties, enhancing memory and cognitive function.
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri, often referred to as Brahmi, is a traditional Ayurvedic herb renowned for its cognitive-enhancing properties. Research suggests it might improve memory, reduce anxiety, and bolster overall cognitive function. Its effects are often attributed to bacosides, the active compounds within the plant that have neuroprotective and adaptogenic properties.
Investigating the Effects
The study produced a model of chronic stress on the brain’s immune cells, microglia, by introducing the stress hormone CRH (Corticotrophin-releasing hormone). This caused oxidative stress, which means the cells suffered from damage caused by free radicals. The cells were then exposed to the combination of choline, ashwagandha, and bacopa monnieri to observe the effects. The combination was able to not only reduce oxidative stress but minimize the damage to the cells, suggesting neuroprotective benefits. The study also suggests that promoting the resting of microglia could contribute to improving neuroprotection and memory deficits. This could suggest that reducing chronic stress, which in turn keeps the brain’s microglia at ease, could foster improved memory.
Interested in the finer details of this study? Check out the original research in our ‘Works Cited’ section below.
Conclusion
Overall, this is an exciting study for beginners and experts alike. While more research is needed to confirm this stack will definitively improve memory deficits in people with chronic stress, it highlights a novel approach. If you’re someone who faces chronic stress, understanding how it affects your brain and potential ways to mitigate its effects can be invaluable.
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Works Cited
Borgonetti V, Galeotti N. Novel Combination of Choline with Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, and Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wetts Reduced Oxidative Stress in Microglia Cells, Promoting Neuroprotection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(18):14038. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814038