Working long hours may change the structure of your brain, including regions associated with emotional regulation and executive function— such as problem solving and working memory—new research has revealed.
The study analyzed the structural brain volumes of healthcare workers in South Korea who regularly clock in long working hours, defined as 52 or more hours.
The adverse health effects of overworking, which is estimated to kill more than 800,000 people every year, according to the International Labour Organization, have been well-documented. Working long hours has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and mental health issues.
However, the underlying neurological mechanisms and anatomical changes that come with overworking have yet to be fully understood, the researchers noted.
The latest study “provides preliminary evidence that overwork is associated with structural brain changes, particularly in regions linked to cognition and emotion,” the researchers wrote.
A stock image of a woman sitting at a work desk with her hands over her eyes under her glasses. A stock image of a woman sitting at a work desk with her hands over her eyes under her glasses. iStock / Getty Images Plus
The study found that “overworked individuals,” those who worked 52 or more hours a week, exhibited “significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation.”
Brain scans indicated a 19 percent increase in volume in the left caudal middle frontal gyrus portion of the brain among those who overworked, compared with those working standard hours.
Further neuroimaging analysis showed peak volume increases in 17 regions of the brain, including the middle frontal gyrus and the superior frontal gyrus—which is involved in attention, planning and decision-making—as well as the insula. The insula plays a key role in sensory, motor and autonomic function and is involved in emotional processing, self-awareness and understanding social context.
The researchers believe that “the alterations in brain volume in overworked individuals may provide a biological explanation for the adverse health effects of working long hours.”
They explained: “The increased brain volumes observed in overworked individuals may reflect neuroadaptive responses to chronic occupational stress, although the exact mechanisms remain speculative.”
The researchers noted that while the findings “should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of the study,” they do point out “the critical need for further research to confirm these associations.”
The study underscores “the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern and highlight the need for workplace policies that mitigate excessive working hours,” the researchers warned.
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Reference
Jang, W., Kim S., Kim Y., Lee S., Choi, J.Y., & Lee, W. (2025). Overwork and changes in brain structure: a pilot study. Occupational & Environmental Medicine. https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2025-110057
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