During periods of prolonged tension, like the one we have been experiencing since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, I see more and more people complaining about forgetting everyday things: where they put their keys, where they parked the car, or what they were about to say. In the vast majority of cases, it is important to reassure people that this is not permanent neurological damage, but rather a natural response of the brain to an unusual burden.
Our memory depends first and foremost on attention. When attention is impaired due to stress, fatigue, or heightened alertness, information is not properly encoded in the first place. Therefore, in many cases this is not “forgetting” in the classic sense of losing stored information, but rather a failure of encoding — the brain simply did not “record” the event.
The brain in survival mode: Why our memory is affected
In situations involving sirens, alerts or any kind of threat, the body’s stress system is rapidly activated. The amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for identifying threats, immediately goes into action and releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, causing the body to enter a survival state.
At this stage, there is a temporary decline in higher cognitive functions, including complex abilities such as forward planning, informed decision-making and judgment. The hippocampus, which is responsible for forming memories, is highly sensitive to cortisol, and its function is impaired. In other words, the brain prioritizes survival over memory. This is a completely normal mechanism, but when it persists over time, we begin to experience “brain fog” in daily life — a feeling characterized by slowed thinking, difficulty concentrating and trouble retrieving words.
When is it normal — and when should it be checked?
Although this is a functional and fully reversible response to stress, there are situations in which I recommend not relying solely on that explanation and seeking neurological evaluation:
- When there is a progressive and severe worsening of memory
- When there is a real impairment in daily functioning or confusion
- When close surroundings or family members notice a significant behavioral change
- When the condition does not improve at all even as the burden slightly decreases
In most cases, once the pressure eases, a natural recovery process begins in which the brain restores itself. Significant improvement is usually seen within days to weeks, and memory returns to full function. However, during periods of prolonged stress, recovery may be more gradual.
How to support the brain during a challenging period
To help memory function under pressure, it is advisable to adopt a few basic guidelines:
- Maintain regular sleep as much as possible and a balanced diet. Even mild dehydration or drops in blood sugar — common when we forget to eat or drink regularly — directly impair concentration and memory.
- Many of us tend to increase caffeine intake due to accumulated fatigue, but high amounts of caffeine can worsen feelings of stress and impair mental clarity.
- Instead of overloading the cognitive system, use external management tools such as lists, phone reminders and notes. These aids are not a sign of weakness, but an effective way to reduce strain on the neurological system and free up capacity for processing other information.
- Take intentional breaks throughout the day to allow the brain to recover from constant stimulation. This is an essential part of maintaining proper brain function during emergencies.
Remember: your brain is not damaged — it is simply functioning under extreme strain. Once the pressure decreases and the stress subsides, cognitive sharpness and function will return to normal.
The writer is a senior neurologist at Meuhedet