Gigantic brain growth: How much work changes our thinking!

Gigantic brain growth: How much work changes our thinking!

A recent study from Korea shows that extended working hours can cause measurable changes in the brain. According to this research, published on May 14, 2025, people who work 52 hours or more per week show striking differences compared to professionals with regular work hours. Research has shown that the medial frontal lobe is about 20 percent larger in those with heavy workloads. This could have an impact on cognitive performance, as Wolfgang Lalouschek, a Viennese occupational physician, explains. Larger brain regions could therefore mean increased cognitive performance.

However, the study also addresses possible negative consequences. People who work a lot are more likely to be prone to stress. Interestingly, it is found that the inner attitude towards work is crucial. Employees who see their work as meaningful can better compensate for stress. It turns out that perceiving work as a valuable occupation provides a buffer against the detrimental effects of stress, reinforcing the results.

Insight into the world of work

The discussion about working hours and their effects on health is also very important in broader occupational science. According to Wissenschaft.de, employees should be productive and satisfied with their work in the long term. In this context, employers have started to offer different working time models to make it easier to balance work and private life. But at the same time, experts warn that excessive stress can significantly reduce productivity.

Legal regulations in many countries require regular working hours of eight hours a day and 40 hours a week. However, in exceptional cases, up to 60 hours per week may be permitted, although this usually only applies to short periods of time. Flexible working time arrangements could theoretically strengthen employees' time sovereignty, but care must be taken to ensure that these do not lead to excessive workload.

Risks and challenges

A looming danger of long working hours is the increasingly blurred line between work and leisure, especially with home office options. This can endanger employee protection, as the separation between professional and private life is often no longer clear. The pressure to be constantly available can also lead to reduced recovery time, which has a negative impact on overall well-being.

The study also points to long-term health risks associated with excessive working, including fatigue, sleep problems and an increased risk of serious illness. In particular, the frequency of accidents increases significantly with longer working hours, which can have fatal consequences in critical professions. Excessive workloads also represent a major risk for companies, as this can lead to higher fluctuation, more frequent sick calls and overall falling productivity.

In summary, it can be said that employers and employees must have found different ways to meet the challenges of the modern world of work. Flexible working models that respect employees' health while increasing their satisfaction and productivity are crucial. However, attention should always be paid to the balance between workload and social life in order to promote a sustainable and healthy working environment.