Does stress affect your memory? - Elizabeth Cox

TED-Ed

This animated lesson explores the complex biological relationship between stress and memory, specifically focusing on why our minds sometimes go blank during high-pressure situations like exams. It breaks down the three stages of memory formation—acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval—and explains how different levels of stress impact each stage. The video uses clear metaphors and character-driven animations to visualize how brain structures like the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex interact under pressure. The video distinguishes between moderate stress, which can actually aid memory formation, and chronic or extreme stress, which hinders it. It introduces the biological mechanism where stress hormones (corticosteroids) activate the amygdala's threat response, subsequently inhibiting the prefrontal cortex—the area responsible for reasoned thought and memory retrieval. This biological override explains the "fight, flight, or freeze" response that causes test anxiety. For educators, this video is an invaluable tool for social-emotional learning and study skills. It not only explains the science behind test anxiety but offers concrete, actionable strategies for students to manage it, such as simulating test conditions, exercising, and deep breathing. By understanding the biology of their own reactions, students can destigmatize their anxiety and learn practical techniques to regain control during stressful moments.