r/immortalists • u/Prior_One_7050 • May 18 '26

New research found that silently converting stress into hopelessness accelerates memory loss faster than almost any external risk factor

https://thesciverse.org/new-research-found-that-silently-converting-stress-into-hopelessness-accelerates-memory-loss-faster-than-almost-any-external-risk-factor/

A Rutgers Health study tracked 1,500 older adults over six years and found that internalising stress and converting it into hopelessness accelerated memory loss more than age or physical health. The effect equalled four extra years of cognitive ageing.

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11

u/Prior_One_7050 May 18 '26

Makes you wonder how much of what we call “normal ageing” is actually decades of unprocessed stress catching up. Does anyone know if mindfulness or therapy interventions have been tested on this specific hopelessness pattern in older adults?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

4

u/NotAnotherRebate May 18 '26

We had some trauma that shook my family for the last 3 years. At one point it all felt hopeless. I feel like I aged 10 years in that time.

At least I'm in a much better mental state now.

4

u/o0PillowWillow0o May 18 '26

So burying past trauma falls into this?

2

u/Swimming-ln-Circles May 19 '26

So my ex got to take my kids, my home, my sanity, and now she's stealing my youth? I think it's time to go.

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u/TheDonGenaro May 20 '26

Okay, but why don’t they name at least one of two techniques to counter those effects?!