Stress-to-brain explorer

Stress does not start in the brain alone. Everyday pressures like housing security, money worries, and neighborhood safety send real signals through our bodies, shaping how our nervous system and brain develop over time.

Use this interactive map to trace how real-life environmental factors connect directly to biological stress systems and brain regions, and see how protective factors help buffer that physical wear and tear.

1. Tap something in someone’s life to see which body systems and brain areas it connects to.
2. Switch on a protective factor to see which stress systems it calms.