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Study Links 52+ Hour Workweeks to Brain Changes

5/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking study from South Korea reveals that working 52 hours or more each week can reshape brain structure, particularly in areas crucial for decision-making and emotional control. Overworked healthcare professionals exhibited a concerning 19% increase in the volume of the left caudal middle frontal gyrus, underscoring the urgent need for workplace reforms to combat overwork's detrimental effects.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking study from South Korea reveals that working 52 hours or more each week can reshape brain structure, particularly in areas crucial for decision-making and emotional control. Overworked healthcare professionals exhibited a concerning 19% increase in the volume of the left caudal middle frontal gyrus, underscoring the urgent need for workplace reforms to combat overwork's detrimental effects.