12/21/2025
Grief is often heightened during the holidays. This enlightening explanation by the American Brain Foundation & Neurologist Lisa M. Shulman, MD offers a new understanding of grief (stress) & brain function.
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"The Brain’s Response to Grief
Grief comes in many forms. Whether brought on by the death of a loved one, a serious illness or injury, divorce, abuse, or another cause, the brain interprets grief as emotional trauma or PTSD. Dr. Shulman explains that the human brain handles emotional trauma and stress using the same set of processes.
“Traumatic loss is perceived as a threat to survival and defaults to protective survival and defense mechanisms,” says Dr. Shulman. This response engages the fight or flight mechanism, which increases blood pressure and heart rate and releases specific hormones. Grief and loss affect the brain and body in many different ways. They can cause changes in memory, behavior, sleep, and body function, affecting the immune system as well as the heart. It can also lead to cognitive effects, such as brain fog. The brain’s goal? Survival."
https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-tragedy-affects-the-brain/
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Learn more:
"Healing the Brain After Loss | Webinar" June 2021
Lisa Shulman, MD hosted an engaging conversation with Board Chair David W. Dodick, MD, FAAN, about translating brain dysfunction to effective intervention. She covered loss, grief and our brain, and also answered audience questions.
https://youtu.be/hZwhslOz7qY?si=8rWzuhebJ2Um1mTRkeme
