Stress can have a big effect on parts of the brain that help us learn. Two important areas are the hippocampus and the amygdala.

1. Hippocampus:

   • This part of the brain helps us make new memories and learn new things.
   • When someone is under a lot of stress for a long time, the hippocampus can actually get smaller. Research shows that it can shrink about 1-2% each year in people who are constantly stressed.
   • High levels of cortisol, which is a hormone produced when we're stressed, can stop new brain cells from forming in the hippocampus.

2. Amygdala:

   • The amygdala is key for handling emotions and storing emotional memories.
   • Stress makes the amygdala work harder, which can increase feelings of anxiety and fear.
   • Studies show that there can be a 20-50% rise in activity in the amygdala when a person is stressed. This can make it harder to learn from what has happened in the past.

In summary, long-term stress can hurt our ability to learn by messing up memory and how we manage our emotions. This can lead to worse results in school and other learning situations.