[Last Name] 1

An investigative essay of the extent to which emotional stress from the

environment impacts neuroplasticity in humans.

To what extent does emotional stress affect neuroplasticity in humans?

Subject: Psychology

Word Count: 4000

Session:

Candidate Number:
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Table of Contents

Introduction: Defining stress and neuroplasticity.......................................2

Abstract.......................................................................................................2

Background research................................................................................3

What is emotional stress?............................................................................3

How does neuroplasticity work?..............................................................5

What is neuroplasticity?..............................................................................6

Influence of stress to neuroplasticity.......................................................8

Evaluation...................................................................................................10

Conclusion..................................................................................................12

Work Cited.................................................................................................15
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Introduction: Defining stress and neuroplasticity

Abstract

The essay's overall purpose is to explore stress and neuroplasticity and their
correlation. The concept of stress is broad, and the function of neuroplasticity is complex.
The essay's goal is to conclude how stress is allegedly caused when dangers to an individual
are viewed as unpredictable and/or unmanageable (Giudice et al. 2018). And how stress
impacts an individual’s ability of neuroplasticity, which is the nervous system’s capacity to
change its activity in response to internal or external stimuli by rearranging its connections,
functions, or structure (Puderbaugh, Emmady, 2022). After researching, there were main
correlative and causational trends between stress and neuroplasticity. I found that interesting
and agreeable because placing stress on an individual forces them to change and persevere
through the environment to survive or even thrive. From my personal experience, it just
added up. Financial struggles and disastrous events in the past were stressful for me and
forced me to adapt and gain values to attain resilience. Neuroplasticity takes place when a
person is faced with environmental adversity.
Background research

What is emotional stress?

Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a demanding

situation (World Health Organization, 2023). Stress is a natural human reaction that prompts

people to deal with problems and threats in their lives. Stress causes the body to release

hormones. These hormones cause the brain to become alert, muscles to tense, and pulse to rise.

In the short term, these reactions are beneficial because they can assist in dealing with stressful

circumstances. All humans experience stress. However, how people react to stress significantly

impacts overall well-being. Stress has an impact on the psyche and the body. A bit of stress is

beneficial and can help accomplish daily tasks. Stress makes it difficult to relax and can cause a

variety of feelings such as anxiety and irritability. People may find it difficult to focus when they

are stressed. Individuals may have headaches or other bodily pains, an upset stomach, or
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difficulty resting. When faced with a stressful circumstance, everyone reacts differently. Stress is

your body's reaction to a challenge or demand (MedlinePlus, 2023).

In a realistic multi-participant laboratory setting, done by researchers of Kerr, Jasmine et

al. 90 participants (44 female; mean age 23.11 3.80) were randomly allocated to either a control

condition or one of two experimental conditions in which they were exposed to psychosocial

stress with or without previous work interruptions. They adapted the Trier Social Stress Test for

Groups to an office setting to create psychosocial stress. The researchers constantly monitored

heart rate and heart rate variability throughout the experiment. Participants reported on their

present mood, calmness, wakefulness, and perceived stress on multiple occasions, and saliva

samples were collected to evaluate changes in salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase. The

cognitive appraisal of the psychosocial stress test was also assessed. Most outcomes during or

shortly after the stress test (i.e., mood, calmness, perceived stress, salivary cortisol, heart rate,

heart rate variability) and during recovery showed significant group differences. (i.e., salivary

cortisol and heart rate). Interestingly, those who encountered work interruptions had higher

cortisol levels but rated the stress test as less threatening than those who only experienced

psychosocial stress. Exploratory mediation analyses showed a blunted response in subjective

stress measures, which was explained in part by differences in threat appraisal.

The study by Kerr, Jasmine et al, demonstrating how stress is present in humans when

challenged by environmental adversity, may correlate to the brain’s way of adjusting to the

stressful environment from neuroplasticity...which will be explored and investigated in the next

section. The findings revealed that experimentally induced job stress resulted in substantial

responses of subjective stress measures, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and the

autonomic nervous system. However, there is a disconnect between the psychological and
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biological reactions to previous work interruptions. Appraising psychosocial stress as less

threatening but still difficult may be an adaptive coping strategy that reflects a state of

engagement and eustress. Understanding this study and acknowledging the existence of stress,

impacting of what is salubrious to the individuals is an essential to understanding how stress

correlates to neuroplasticity. Though the study does not suggest in what ways psychosocial stress

in an office-work environment induce neuroplasticity in employees or individuals in general, this

section does not aim to focus on office stress but a foundation to the knowledgeability of stress.

This is the first study to look at the psychobiological stress responses to various

workplace stressors in a controlled but realistic group office setting. The researchers discovered

that an office version of the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups caused significant overall growth

in terms psychological, biochemical, and cardiac stress responses in the employees’ vitals. They

also discovered that more job interruptions resulted in increased hypthothalamic-pituitary adrenal

axis activation. Work interruptions, on the other hand, seemed to dampen the psychological

stress reaction. The increased hypthothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis and blunted psychological

response indicate a stronger physiological mobilization, providing the individual with additional

energy and thus increasing emotional but also cognitive resources. This interpretation is backed

by lower levels of cognitive threat appraisal, which does explain a portion of the

psychobiological discordance. The findings highlight the significance of researching several

types of office stressors and the varying effects they can have on various stress-related systems.

Overall, the findings show that a large-scale realistic stress provocation experiment in the context

of an office environment stress related is feasible.

How does neuroplasticity work?

What is neuroplasticity?
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Neuroplasticity is a process that includes adaptive structural and functional changes to the

brain. It is also known as neural plasticity or brain plasticity. It is defined as the ability of the

nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing

its structure, functions, or connections after injuries, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury

(Puderbaugh, Emmady 2022). Plasticity refers to the brain's malleability or ability to change; it

does not imply that the brain is plastic (Cherry, 2022). According to Kendra Cherry, the human

brain is made up of 100 billion neurons. Neurogenesis, or the creation of new neurons, was

thought to stop soon after birth by early researchers. It is now known that the brain's

neuroplasticity enables it to reorganize pathways, form new connections, and, in some instances,

generate new neurons.

An experiment done from the University of Minnesota by Zoe Christenson Wick to test

and promote neuroplasticity, they used a prism goggle experiment. Students attempt to throw a

bean bag into a bucket ten times in this exercise. Which should be difficult but doable. Then they

put on the prism goggles, which shift your vision to the left or right, and attempt to toss the bean

bags into the bucket once more. The students observing will notice that the student throwing will

initially miss (by a wide margin) in the direction their vision was shifted. The student throwing

will adapt their movements over the duration of ten throws, throwing the bean bags closer to the

goal. This is known as brain plasticity. After throwing the bean bags while wearing the prism

goggles, the student will remove the goggles and attempt again. This, according to the

researcher, is the most exciting aspect of the experiment. Because their neurons have learned and

adapted to a new connection between their muscular movements and their vision while wearing

the prism goggles. When they remove your goggles, their neurons must re-adapt and relearn the

previous connection between their muscle movements and their eyesight. This is demonstrated in
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the experiment by students missing the target in the opposite way they missed it while wearing

the goggles. To save time, they had each pupil throw the bean bags ten times before goggles, ten

times during goggles, and ten times after goggles, with as little movement as possible in between

bean bag tossing sessions.

Understanding the concept of neuroplasticity and the study connects to the research question of

the essay helps build the foundation for comprehending the influence of stress on neuroplasticity

that will be investigated in the next section. The definition of neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s

ability to plasticize and be malleable to restore a function/adapt to a situation is vital to

answering the research question of the investigative essay. As neuroplasticity plays a role in

handling stress in an individual. The study from the University of Minnesota by Zoe Christenson

Wick reveals that introducing an individual (the kids in this case) demonstrates a measurable

example of how the role of neuroplasticity helps an individual adapt to its environment for more

efficiency and effective utilization, in this case, the children playing the bean bag tossing with

prism goggles. Though this may not be a notable example of stress, it does place challenges upon

the children to adjust and learn the game.

To conclude, neuroplasticity is the ability of a human individual to adapt by the process

of synaptic pruning and neurogenesis. It is also the ability of the central nervous system to adjust

to the environment via intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing structures or functions in the

brain to further suit the individual to its environment. The study from the University of

Minnesota by Zoe Christenson Wick experiment showed that neuroplasticity plays a vital role in

adapting to an environment especially if the individual’s sensory perceptions are changed.

Though the study does not provide detailed data of neuroplasticity, it is difficult to test

neuroplasticity in psychology as it can be best observed through human actions. At least with the
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study provided by Zoe Christenson. Understanding the definition and how neuroplasticity can be

tested is foundational to this investigative essay as it can be further delved into and evaluated

later.

Influence of stress to neuroplasticity

Now that stress and neuroplasticity have been defined and demonstrated for salubrious

comprehension, it can be analyzed how stress influences neuroplasticity. Stress and

neuroplasticity have a correlation with each other in positive and negative ways. Neurogenesis,

or the creation of new brain cells, constantly occurs in the hippocampus, which is responsible for

mood, memory, and learning. Chronic stress has been shown to slow down or impair

neurogenesis (Alvarez, 2021). But positively impacting neuroplasticity can be seen in new

mothers when their infant is about to be/will be born. New mothers undergo dynamic neural

changes that support positive adaptation to parenting and the development of mother-infant

relationships (Kim, 2016). Hormones associated with the chronic stress burden protect the body

in the short run and promote adaptation (allostasis), but eventually, the burden of chronic stress

causes changes in the brain and body that can lead to disease (allostatic load and overload)

(McEwen, 2012). According to PainHealth, normal tasks become painful when they should not

be—psychological and physical stress often triggers unhelpful neuroplasticity, which can lead to

or exacerbate persistent pain. (177 words)

According to RM Pearson et al 2009, in line with an earlier study, anxiety symptoms

were linked to an improved ability to decode faces indicating a threat. (Fearful and angry faces).

They discovered that during late pregnancy, as opposed to early pregnancy, women had higher

accuracy scores to encode emotional expressions signaling danger or harm (fearful, angry, and

disgusted faces), as well as a more general negative emotion (sadness). By raising their overall
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emotional sensitivity and alertness to emotional signals of threat, aggression, and contagion,

women may become better able to encode emotional faces in late pregnancy as an evolutionary

adaptation to get them ready for the protective and nurturing demands of motherhood. Another

study indicating change in the human maternal by neuroplasticity shows, by RM Pearson et al

2010, community midwives recruited healthy pregnant mothers...a known computerized

paradigm assessed women's ability to disengage focus from distressed or non-distressed infant

faces. They created an indicator of women's attentional bias toward infant distress based on this

paradigm. The postpartum bonding questionnaire was used to assess mother-child interactions.

(PBQ). A total of 49 women performed the attentional paradigm during late pregnancy and the

PBQ 3-6 months after birth. They discovered that women who had a higher attentional bias

toward infant distress during late pregnancy had more effective mother-infant relationships.

When it comes to stress, smaller hippocampal or temporal lobe volumes have been observed in

non-disease conditions such as chronic stress, chronic inflammation, lack of physical exercise,

and jet lag (McEwen, 2012). According to PNAS, acute and chronic stress-induced plasticity is

reversible, at least in young adult brains, and does not represent brain damage in and of itself;

however, overstimulation of these systems (e.g., by seizures, head trauma, and ischemia) causes

permanent irreversible damage. In addition, there is evidence that as people age, their brains

become less resilient—that is, they are less able to bounce back from changes brought on by

stress, isolation, and an unhealthy lifestyle—which can be counteracted by bottom-up

interventions like exercise and supportive relationships. (335)

This shows how emotional stress can bring maladaptive neuroplasticity as well as

beneficial plasticity. As an instance of emotional stress of the maternal brain from the result of

neuroplasticity is essential to the mother-child-relationship's survival by enhancing regions for

infant facial recognition and environmental vigilance. Similarly, neuroplasticity can also become

maladaptive from chronic stress. Such as the reduction in size of the smaller hippocampal or

temporal lobe volumes observed. Which also, chronic stress decreases the brain’s resilience and

are more prone to adjusting back to healthy ways from stress/unhealthy lifestyles. Which shows

how emotional stress can bring maladaptive neuroplasticity as well as beneficial plasticity.

Instances of neuroplasticity, whether maladaptive or adaptive show that emotional stress

impacts neuroplasticity in numerous ways—not dogmatic or restricted to a particular type of

change in the brain. Such as the example of the human maternal brain’s way of adapting to new

parenthood by enhancing facial recognition and vigilance senses...and how chronic stress brings

an individual to a disadvantage by the decrease of resilience in their brain by lowering their

brain’s ability to adjust back to its regular function.

Evaluation

The correlation of stress and neuroplasticity is measurable from studies and

investigations done by researchers. Such as how stress impacts neuroplasticity whether

adaptive or maladaptive. The adaptive benefits offer enhanced functions of an individual to

its environment whereas maladaptive disadvantages bring an individual to lower schema

resilience or a tougher position. For example, the maternal brain, when faced with

parenthood, adapts to the newly found stress by enhancing its features of infant facial

recognition and vigilance to be better suited for the mother-infant-relationship. On the other

hand, chronic stress weakens brain functions and discourages adjustment towards previously

regular brain activities for healthy lifestyle. Which shows the correlation between stress and

neuroplasticity by how stress negatively/positively impacts functions and behaviors to human

individuals.
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From experiences that humans accrue, it is easy to ignore how stress can deteriorate

certain aspects of our life. Though it may be apparent and strives humans to feel the normal

effects of stress, it is often misleading on how stress can be harmful long term. It is difficult

to mitigate stress and let alone understand how to get around the effects of stress it brings on

human individuals. Neuroplasticity is an essential part of human life affected by stress as

analyzed and discussed in the essay. Neuroplasticity also causes humans to adapt to certain

sensitivities in their environment to increase toleration, such as stress. As much as beneficial

neuroplasticity is it is also harmful depending on the path the brain takes to adaptation.

Which in this case, it can lead to maladaptive effects. It is interesting to note that the brain

takes on many approaches to coping with stress by adjusting its plasticity in its regions and

functions.

The strength of this investigative and analytic essay paves a way for the

understanding of the definitions of stress and neuroplasticity. The effects of stress and

neuroplasticity are also fundamental to building the foundations of comprehension in this

extended essay. The correlation between stress and neuroplasticity is expressed as well as

how adaptive and maladaptive the effects of stress on a human individual can be. Although,

it should be considered that the brain is difficult to study scientifically in a controlled

laboratory experiment. Which is why the beneficial effects of neuroplasticity and stress is not

supported by a defined study since it is difficult to monitor brain activity in maternal brains

and individuals entering parenthood in an appropriate environment as it may cross ethical

bounds. But despite that, it was possible to find a scientific, controlled experiment on the

effects of stress and the acknowledgement of its existence. Yet there are limited studies

expressing how maladaptive effects can form in a controlled brain experiment. But it was
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possible to demonstrate how neuroplasticity takes place in an environment where it demands

more resources from the body and brain than usual, just like the goggle prism experiment

done by the University of Minnesota.

Upon the evaluation of the sources, studies, and analysis done towards this essay, it is

sufficient data to answer the research question of the extended essay, “To what extent does

emotional stress affect neuroplasticity in humans?” Since one of the strengths of this essay

demonstrate the analysis behind the correlation of emotional stress and neuroplasticity. But

there is limited information to answer the research question with veracity but rely on sensory

reasoning and understanding of stress and neuroplasticity. But despite the weaknesses

presented in the limited sources in this extended essay, there is solid understanding of the

definitions of stress and neuroplasticity as analyzed in the essay, and the studies done by

scientists and one from the University of Minnesota. As well as the correlations, regarding

emotional stress and neuroplasticity upon evaluation and investigation.

Conclusion

To summarize, the overall argument of this investigative and analysis essay is that

emotional stress has an impact on neuroplasticity—as well as having a correlation with one

another as a result. The existence of emotional stress and neuroplasticity suggests the human

capabilities of their brain’s plasticity, which can be beneficial, and serve one’s life—or can place

one at a disadvantage and deteriorate one’s life. Though there were limited studies upon the

correlation of emotional stress and neuroplasticity, the studies reveal knowledge of their impact

on one another to a degree at most, such as adaptivity and maladaptively. To evaluate, this essay

was able to cover the adaptivity of the brain from emotional stress from maternal mothers and
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the prism-goggle experiment—as well as the maladaptive effects of emotional stress on the brain

from office work can be detrimental on one’s health from the brain’s own source of evolutionary

advancement. When it comes to emotional stress, it is a part of human life that can be both bad

and good—but usually, it is negative towards human health, physically and emotionally,

especially when it becomes chronic; which is detrimental to human health. Its effects can be

observed from the study of maternal mother adaptation and chronic stress from office work.

Revealing its measurable change in neuroplasticity. For neuroplasticity, it refers to the brain's

ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences, learning, and injury. It involves the

growth and reorganization of neurons, the formation of new connections between neurons, and

the strengthening or weakening of existing connections. Neuroplasticity is a complex and

dynamic process that occurs throughout the lifespan and is influenced by a variety of factors,

including age, genetics, environment, and behavior. Understanding the mechanisms of

neuroplasticity has important implications for treating neurological disorders and injuries and

promoting healthy brain development and aging.

In conclusion, stress can have a significant impact on neuroplasticity. Chronic stress can

lead to structural changes in the brain, such as the shrinking of the hippocampus, and the

reduction of neurogenesis. These changes can impair cognitive function and contribute to the

development of maladaptive cognitive and biological processes. However, acute stress can also

have positive effects on neuroplasticity by promoting the release of growth factors and

increasing synaptic plasticity. The impact of stress on neuroplasticity is complex and can vary

depending on the type, intensity, and duration of the stressor, as well as individual factors such

as genetics and prior experience. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms
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by which stress influences neuroplasticity and to develop effective interventions for mitigating

the negative effects of stress on brain function.

In terms of limitations, studies on stress and neuroplasticity often rely on models, which

may not accurately reflect the effects of stress on human neuroplasticity. Additionally, the effects

of stress on neuroplasticity can be complex and depend on a variety of factors, including the

type, intensity, and duration of the stressor, as well as individual differences in genetics,

environment, and behavior. As a result, it can be difficult to draw clear conclusions about the

relationship between stress and neuroplasticity. Stress and neuroplasticity research, on the other

hand, has various advantages. They can provide light on the underlying mechanisms of stress-

related diseases and identify viable therapies for reducing stress's harmful effects on brain

function. While stress and neuroplasticity research have some limitations, it has the potential to

significantly advance our understanding of the brain and inform the development of new

treatments for stress-related disorders.

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