Why does constant “chronic” lamenting cause stress? – From “Medicine Highlights” for Il Mattino
26 Jan , 2026
A Stanford University study examined the neurobiological effects of prolonged exposure to negative verbal stimuli, focusing particularly on passive listening to complaints. Preliminary results highlight a significant correlation between repeated exposure to these contents and alterations both structural and functional in the brain.
The investigation supported the hypothesis that chronic listening to complaining talk acts as a psychosocial stressor, triggering a physiological response characterized by an increase in cortisol levels, the main stress hormone.
Elevated cortisol concentration in the blood, if prolonged over time, has been associated in scientific literature with neurotoxic effects, particularly on the hippocampus—a crucial brain region for memory and spatial learning, which is particularly sensitive to this hormone due to the high density of glucocorticoid receptors.
The evidence collected indicates a possible association between the duration and frequency of passive exposure to complaints and a reduction in hippocampal volume. This atrophy has previously been linked to cognitive impairments, particularly episodic memory and orientation abilities.
The research also investigated the phenomenon of “emotional contagion” at the neural level.
Repeated exposure to negative linguistic expressions may influence the activity of brain circuits involved in emotion processing and empathy, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Such alterations appear to increase predisposition to negative thought patterns and a more problematic view of reality.
An further aspect considered regards the cognitive load required by-the listening active of-the complaints. To-pay attention and to-express empathy in these situations implies a significant spending of resources mental that, if sustained in-the time, can reduce the capacity of processing of other tasks cognitive and generate fatigue mental.
In synthesis, the study suggests that the listening passive and prolonged of complaints can constitute a factor environmental capable of generate changes neurobiological harmful. These themselves manifest through the activation chronic of-the response to-the stress, with possible damages to-the hippocampus and through a greater inclination toward the negativity, favored both by mechanisms emotional that by a elevated load cognitive.
In light of these results, it appears desirable to promote prevention strategies aimed at reducing exposure to such stimuli and fostering more constructive communication environments oriented toward solutions. Further research will however be necessary to fully confirm these data and deepen the involved neurobiological mechanisms.
Credits: This article was originally written in Italian for ilmattino.it
