How stress makes us dumber - the neurobiology of chronic stress and cognitive decline

The pressure for productivity, constant development, fast pace of life and a million things to handle? Everything seems fine, we're professionally fulfilled, yet we feel progressively worse. The effects of chronic stress are gradually becoming a silent epidemic. For IT professionals, the cognitive costs of stress translate into real consequences: slower decision-making, reduced creativity, increased risk of error. But what exactly happens in our brains when even medium stress becomes a persistent state? During the session, based on neurobiology, I'll explain how elevated cortisol levels (a result of chronic stress) impact key brain centers: the prefrontal cortex (myelin sheats, dendrites), hippocampus, amygdala, and other systems: immune, cardiovascular, digestive, and reproductive. The session doesn't focus on teaching specific stress management techniques, but rather offers an overview of evidence-based approaches. It suggests some strategies, but not as in-depth instructions, more like starting points for further individual exploration. Key takeaways: • How chronic stress alters brain structures responsible for concentration, memory, and decision-making

• Why even high-functioning professionals may experience decreased effectiveness

• A brief overview of stress impact on the immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems

• A general look at stress-buffering practices

Audience: everyone. Really - I haven't heard anyone saying "meh, I'm not interested in keeping myself in a good health." :)