Youth NeuroNext | Brain Health for Teens

What You'll Learn

1
Understand the biological fight-flight-freeze response
2
Recognize the difference between healthy and harmful stress
3
Learn how to reset your nervous system after stress

The Explanation

Stress isn't all bad—a little stress (called "eustress") actually helps you focus and perform. The problem is when stress becomes chronic.

When your brain perceives danger, your amygdala activates. Your body floods with cortisol and adrenaline. Your heart races, breathing quickens, muscles tense. This is the fight-flight-freeze response. It's perfect for escaping a predator—not perfect for taking a test (though your amygdala treats them the same).

Acute stress (short-term) is healthy: you get stressed, your body activates, then you relax. Chronic stress damages memory formation, emotional regulation, immune function, and sleep. You have a counterbalance: the parasympathetic nervous system. Activate it through deep breathing, cold exposure, exercise, and social connection.

Key Terms

Amygdala

Your brain's threat-detection center that activates at the first sign of danger

Cortisol

The stress hormone—helpful short-term, damaging long-term

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Your 'rest and digest' system—the brake pedal on stress

Real-Life Example

You're about to present in front of class. Your hands shake, heart races, mouth goes dry. That's your amygdala treating the presentation like a threat. Taking three long, slow breaths activates your parasympathetic nervous system and brings you back to calm.

Quick Quiz

1. What does chronic stress damage in the brain?

Show Answer

Correct Answer: The hippocampus (memory formation)

Key Takeaways

The stress response is useful short-term, damaging long-term

Your body has a built-in reset system (parasympathetic nervous system)

Chronic stress shrinks the memory center of your brain

The Stress Response