Weight gain and strict adherence to habits: researchers examined the impact of stress on the brain.

Imagine that you commute to work every day via the same route, even when a shorter path exists. Why is that? It turns out that our brain, under stress, prefers to switch to "autopilot" mode.

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles discovered that chronic stress impairs our ability to make flexible decisions, causing us to act out of habit. To test this theory, scientists conducted an experiment where a group of mice was subjected to moderate yet unpredictable stress (such as damp bedding, noise, and constant lighting). They were then taught to press a lever for food.

The results were surprising: calm mice were able to adapt their behavior according to the conditions, while stressed mice continued to press the lever even when the reward was gone, meaning they acted purely out of habit.

How does the brain respond to stress?

Two brain regions play a crucial role in this process: the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the central amygdala (CeA), which control decision-making and habits, respectively. Under normal conditions, the brain balances between these systems. However, when we are constantly stressed, the brain "shuts down" thoughtful decision-making and switches to habit mode.

What does this mean for people?

This explains why in stressful situations, we tend to engage in compulsive behaviors, such as mindlessly scrolling through social media or consuming sweets. The research may also aid in the treatment of disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and addictions.

Previously, "Telegraph" reported on a breakthrough in dental research—scientists grew human teeth in a pig. This could potentially lead to the ability to grow new teeth instead of relying on implants.