A new study on stress and memory just landed — and it reframes what's actually happening in your brain when you blank at the worst possible time.

The research shows that acute stress doesn't just make recall harder. It limits how the brain forms associations between new memories as they're being built. Dr. Samantha Yammine uses a sharp example: if a friend tells you they'll be wearing a bright red jacket and later you spot that jacket outside the library, your unstressed brain connects the dots. Under stress, that link doesn't form the same way. The hippocampus keeps things separate instead of integrating them.

That separation might be protective — stress could be shielding existing memories from being edited or overwritten. But it also explains why anxiety makes the same scenario feel brand new every time, which is exactly why cognitive reappraisal sits at the core of anxiety therapy: you have to consciously remind yourself that last time, it was fine.

Topics: stress and memory, acute stress brain effects, hippocampus memory formation, anxiety therapy cognition, memory reliability

GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine | http://samanthayammine.com

Originally aired on 2026-06-01

A new study on stress and memory just landed &mdash; and it reframes what's actually happening in your brain when you blank at the worst possible time.
The research shows that acute stress doesn't just make recall harder. It limits how the brain forms associations between new memories as they're being built. Dr. Samantha Yammine uses a sharp example: if a friend tells you they'll be wearing a bright red jacket and later you spot that jacket outside the library, your unstressed brain connects the dots. Under stress, that link doesn't form the same way. The hippocampus keeps things separate instead of integrating them.
That separation might be protective &mdash; stress could be shielding existing memories from being edited or overwritten. But it also explains why anxiety makes the same scenario feel brand new every time, which is exactly why cognitive reappraisal sits at the core of anxiety therapy: you have to consciously remind yourself that last time, it was fine.
Topics: stress and memory, acute stress brain effects, hippocampus memory formation, anxiety therapy cognition, memory reliability
GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine |<a href="http://samanthayammine.com"> http://samanthayammine.com</a>
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-06-01

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.