Can mental toughness be learned?  Scientists think so

The research has been published in one of the most respected scientific journals, Nature. As part of the analyses, the researchers placed the young mice in close proximity to larger, more aggressive mice. Note that the small animals They defended themselves against the aggressors, and learned to be more resistant to aggression. In turn, the neurotransmitter dopamine It has the effect of strengthening this immunity.

– [Myszy – red.] They turned to the aggressor, threw their paws away, jumped on him and did not give up. Dr Lindsey Willmore, from Princeton University, said: “I thought, ‘Oh my God, there is something going on in the brains of these animals that is very interesting and could be the key to immunity.

The researchers monitored the mice’s behavior during 10 days during which they were exposed to the aggressor’s attacks. Rats that do not usually defend themselves exhibit similar behaviour depression, including. You use so-called social avoidance after a stressful event. The rats that defended themselves later showed up Greater mental resistance to subsequent stressful situations. Scientists have found that by stimulating dopamine during confrontation, they can make animals more mentally resilient. On the other hand, these passive treatments did not make the mice more resistant.

More closely related to this type of immunity is the amount of dopamine the animals had in their reward system when they started fighting. […] Willmore said that the animal that not only fights but is also rewarded for fighting is the animal that becomes more resilient.

A series of experiments conducted by scientists indicates this Resistance to extreme stressful situations can be learned if defensive behavior is used. This has been confirmed in mice so far, however, and the results are promising.

“We need to think of ways to help people who appear to be more vulnerable to stress,” added Dr. Aniger Falkner, from Princeton University. Scientists continue their research on mental flexibility We hope that the results of their research will be applicable in the future to human health. As scholars write in Scientific article: “Chronic stress can have lasting negative consequences for some peopleBut others are resisting the same pressures. Exposed and resistant individuals show differences in intrinsic properties of dopamine (DA) neurons after the end of a stressful experience.

It might be one of the possible solutions smart watchesIt would provide real-time information on good habits to reinforce healthy mechanisms, including defensive behavior associated with dealing with stress. As Willmore adds, “Information about our dynamic interactions with the environment will be useful for tracking our habits that may be beneficial or harmful.”

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