Environmental

Stressors Impact on the Nervous System

The success of any species can be measured in its ability to adapt and respond to
various environmental stressors. However, as a species, humans are faces with a very
unique set of stressors that encompass a larger variety than those faces by the average
mammal [Schneiderman, 2005]. We not only face individual challenges presents by the
local environment, but also societal challenges caused by technology, politics and
religion [Schneiderman, 2005].

As college students, we are all constantly exposed to different types of stress;
immune stress from close contact in dormitories and poor diet, mental stress from
everyday academic challenges and personal relationships and physical stress from
exhaustion. Although we merely consider it part of the college experience, prolonged
stress can cause long-term damage to organs and the nervous system. Prolonged stress
can go as far as to worsen symptoms or rapidly progress preexisting conditions [Ranbir,
2011].

Stress can affect many facets of the human body, most commonly memory and
hormonal production. Both of which have greater downstream effects [Reagan, 2008].
In general, the ability to form and solidify memories is affected by the nervous systems
inability to compensate for the environmental stressors. This also causes an up
regulation of hormones which are commonly seen in patients with depression, anxiety
and other, similar disorders.




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