“Exercise and social interaction are key stress relievers”
Neuroscientist Johannes Bohacek investigates the molecular basis of stress in the brain. He originally wanted to become a psychotherapist.
When is stress harmful, and when is it useful?
The body’s reaction to a stressful situation can be vital for survival. It alerts us to danger and quickens our responses. However, excessive or chronic stress can exhaust our energy reserves. This can quickly become harmful, damage the cardiovascular system and pose a threat to our mental health.
Can your research help prevent this?
As someone working in basic research, I’m looking to understand what occurs in the brain during an acute stress reaction. The brain is a highly complex organ, and there’s still a lot of work to do in this area, so don’t expect an immediate solution from us. In the long term, however, our fundamental research should support the development of new therapies.
Is there one big goal you’d like to achieve?
My dream is that we can discover a molecule or circuit in the mouse brain that can boost stress resilience, and that this will offer a biological way of helping those who struggle to cope with stress. But, realistically, what we’re doing is only a small piece of a large puzzle. Working in basic research is like being part of a vast anthill: when one of us finds a grain of sugar, we all benefit.
Originally, you studied psychology. Do you still find that knowledge helpful today?
At the start of my studies, I actually wanted to become a psychotherapist. And I sometimes joke that I now do similar work as a research group leader! Seriously, though, it’s important to recognise the strengths and weaknesses of everyone on the team and to make sure they’re considered in the context of team dynamics. That can often be a really interesting challenge.
And how do you deal with stress yourself?
Exercise and social interaction are my key stress relievers. I set aside time for both. That means doing sports, spending time with my two little girls and socialising with friends and loved ones. But, like everyone else, I often find it stressful squeezing everything in alongside a busy work schedule. Perhaps the real key to happiness is accepting and enjoying a full, busy life.
About
Johannes Bohacek is Professor of Molecular and Behavioural Neuroscience at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology.