Is 'baby brain' real? Nearly 300 parents put the theory to the test | SBS News
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A study of nearly 300 parents finally stress-tests "baby brain" — revealing whether cognitive decline in new parenthood is hard neuroscience or just a self-fulfilling cultural myth.
Nocebo EffectCognitive Load TheoryNeuroplasticitySelf-Fulfilling Prophecy
Theory Briefing
- Australian researchers tested nearly 300 new parents to determine if 'baby brain' causes measurable cognitive decline or is largely perceived.
- The study probes whether sleep deprivation, stress, and hormonal shifts physically impair memory and attention in early parenthood.
- Findings challenge whether 'baby brain' is a biological reality or a nocebo effect — where believing you're impaired makes you perform worse.