Stress and emotions can have a big effect on how our brain works, especially in processes called long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD).

1. LTP and Stress:

• When we are stressed, our body releases a hormone called cortisol.
• High levels of cortisol can make it harder for LTP to happen by affecting something called NMDA receptors in the brain.
• In fact, if someone is exposed to long-term stress, LTP can drop by as much as 50%.

2. LTD and Emotion:

• Negative feelings, like sadness or anger, can actually increase LTD, which means it weakens the connections between brain cells.
• Research shows that when we feel strong emotions, LTD can increase by about 30%.

3. Statistical Impact:

• Around 60% of people notice changes in their brain connections because of long-term stress.
• Additionally, about 70% of our memories that are tied to strong emotions have less ability for LTP.

Understanding how stress and emotions affect the brain helps us recognize why we feel and remember things the way we do.