Why thinking hard makes you tired

[Alvin2]

No idea if this affect us ME/CFS patients

Their studies, reported in Current Biology on August 11, show that when intense cognitive work is prolonged for several hours, it causes potentially toxic byproducts to build up in the part of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex. This in turn alters your control over decisions, so you shift toward low-cost actions requiring no effort or waiting as cognitive fatigue sets in, the researchers explain.

Critically, they also had higher levels of glutamate in synapses of the brain's prefrontal cortex. Together with earlier evidence, the authors say it supports the notion that glutamate accumulation makes further activation of the prefrontal cortex more costly, such that cognitive control is more difficult after a mentally tough workday.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220811135344.htm

 

[hapl808]

Interesting. But the question is how to fix it. For me it's not hours or 'intense' cognitive work. A mildly interesting computer problem will crash me after twenty minutes of focus. Same feeling as I would've gotten from 10 hours of focused work when I was 'mild' CFS. Before CFS, that kinda work would tire me out, but in a good way that didn't lead to a crash.

 

[Alvin2]

But the question is how to fix it.

This is the question that plagues my existence.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

so in us, the toxic accumulations in the brain, start their accumulating in a mere few minutes!

Thats what it feels like here.

What to do?

I feel a tiny bit better, and a shred of optimism maybe some things I am doing are helping if I just keep persevering.....

so cleaning the brain is tied to this sleep cycle and these accumulations seem to accrue.