Question

When we're under stress, chemicals that increase memory retention flood our brains.

Answer 1

Stress response and memory retention

Explanation:

During a stress response, many neurotransmitters or catecholamines like dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, are released. The catecholamines are hormones which are released and acts as part of the body's fight-or-flight response.

Oversecretion of these catecholamines can hinder the long-term memory. However, these stress hormones do increase the short-term or the immediate recall memory. During an acute or an emotional stress response, the short-term, working, or the recognition memory becomes active.

The acute stress responses activates the sympathetic nervous system and areas of the brain like hippocampus and amygdala. These further improve the cognitive and sensory skills which improves the memory.

This also improves decision making skills to decide what is best during the fight-or-flight response.