New research says that working too many hours can change your brain. It may affect the parts of your brain that help you control emotions, remember things, and solve problems.
Experts believe that working long hours every week can slowly harm your brain and mental health.
Overworking doesn’t just make you tired—it also increases the risk of heart disease, stress, and even death. According to a report, more than 800,000 people around the world die each year because of working too much.
In this study, scientists looked at the brains of people—like hospital workers—who worked 52 or more hours a week. They found that working too much may change the way some parts of the brain work and look.
Scientists in South Korea did a study to see how working long hours affects the brain. They used brain scans (MRI) to look at changes in people who worked a lot—especially doctors.
Out of 110 people in the study, 32 worked very long hours (52 or more each week), while the rest worked fewer hours. The people who worked more were usually younger and had less work experience.
The brain scans showed that those who worked longer hours had changes in certain brain areas. These areas are important for memory, emotions, and decision-making.
One part of the brain, called the middle frontal gyrus, was found to be 19% larger in people who worked too much. This area helps with focus, memory, and language.
Other affected parts were:
- Superior frontal gyrus – helps with planning and making decisions
- Insula – helps you understand your feelings and connect your body and mind
