A flurry of new scientific findings has revealed that the stress of working long hours doesn’t just leave people feeling exhausted—it may actually alter the structure of the human brain. According to a major study led by researchers from South Korea and published in May 2025, individuals clocking more than 52 hours a week exhibited significant physical changes in brain regions tied to memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation, sparking fresh concerns about the risks of overwork worldwide—including in Thailand’s increasingly demanding labor market (The Times; CNN; Newsweek).
The implications of this research are particularly pressing for Thai society. With Bangkok ranked among the world’s top cities for excessive work hours and nearly one in six employees regularly working more than 48 hours per week (Thai PBS), the new evidence suggests that prolonged periods of overwork may contribute to cognitive and emotional problems well beyond the immediate effects of fatigue.
The multicenter study, recently highlighted in outlets such as CNN and Newsweek, used advanced brain imaging techniques to compare MRI scans of participants working “normal” hours to those exceeding the 52-hours-per-week threshold. The researchers discovered that those with longer schedules developed up to 19% greater volume in certain brain areas—believed to be linked to increased demand on alertness and efficiency as the brain coped with stress (Study Finds). However, the research team cautioned that these changes, though seemingly adaptive in the short term, are “likely negative over a long period.” They warned such alteration may contribute to long-term difficulties in emotional regulation, executive function, and even the risk of developing psychiatric disorders.
Experts in neuroscience have explained that chronic stress is already known to produce structural brain changes, such as reduced volume in the hippocampus—a region crucial for learning and memory (PubMed). The new study expands this understanding by demonstrating that overwork, as a practical source of chronic stress, can physically reshape neural pathways involved in key cognitive and emotional processes.
A professor of psychiatry from a leading Thai university, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the article’s source guidelines, noted, “It has long been recognized that stress can have a profound impact on mental health, but seeing actual structural changes in the brains of overworked adults is a wake-up call. It signals the need for both individuals and policy makers in Thailand to take the mental-health effects of long work hours seriously.”
The association between long working hours and mental health problems is not new. Thai researchers have previously reported that extended hours, inflexible organizational structures, and lack of workplace support are key contributors to burnout and increased risk of depression—especially among professions such as nursing and healthcare (HRM Asia; TJONC). This latest neuroscientific evidence adds a critical new dimension to the discussion, highlighting that overwork is not merely emotionally taxing, but physically reshapes the very organ responsible for our well-being and productivity.
For Thailand, where the economic model and education system often reward perseverance and overtime rather than efficiency, the findings come at a crucial time. As work-from-home arrangements blur boundaries and digital technology enables round-the-clock expectations, the risks grow ever greater. Under Thai labor law, employers cannot force staff to work beyond normal hours without consent, yet cultural and economic pressures often lead many professionals to accept excessive workloads (Global Compliance News). The latest data may empower employees and advocacy groups to push for stricter enforcement and new measures to safeguard brain health.
Historically, Thailand, like many Asian cultures, has esteemed hard work and endurance. Workplace greetings such as “Have you eaten yet?” (กินข้าวหรือยัง) often double as reminders to look after one’s health in the midst of busy schedules. However, as new generations place greater value on well-being and work-life balance, these findings could accelerate societal shifts in expectations.
Internationally, the World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon, characterized by “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy.” The links between overwork, mental health, and brain structure reinforce calls for a sustainable approach to productivity (WHO).
Looking forward, experts believe that more research is needed to determine whether changes in brain structure from long hours are reversible with rest or workplace intervention. For now, neuroscientists and public health officials urge both policy and personal action. As one Thai mental health expert from a leading hospital summarized, “Work smarter, not just harder. Employers must foster environments where rest, recreation, and mental health support are as valued as output.”
For Thai workers and employers, the practical recommendations are clear: prioritize regular breaks, limit weekly working hours, cultivate supportive work cultures, and stay vigilant for signs of burnout. For policymakers, these findings strengthen the argument for stricter labor protections, mental health screening, and widespread education about the invisible costs of overwork.
In summary, what might first appear as a badge of honor—long hours spent building careers and businesses—could come at the hidden cost of our own neurological health. As the evidence mounts, Thai society faces an urgent imperative to rebalance work and well-being, or risk profound and lasting effects on the mind.