A new study from South Korea suggests that logging excessive work hours may physically alter your brain. The research, featured in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal, indicates that consistently working more than 52 hours per week can lead to noticeable structural changes in the brain.

Conducted by scientists at Chung-Ang University and Yonsei University, the study focused on over 100 healthcare professionals, comparing those with heavy workloads to those working regular hours. MRI scans revealed that the group clocking longer hours showed decreased grey matter volume in regions tied to thinking ability, memory, decision-making, and emotional balance.

“These transformations were found in areas responsible for handling tasks, managing emotions, and making choices,” the researchers noted. This suggests a direct link between intense workloads and changes in cognitive and emotional performance, lending biological evidence to what many overworked individuals already feel.

The study sheds light on how modern work demands—especially in healthcare—can impact mental clarity and emotional health. The scientists argue that limiting work hours is not just a lifestyle choice, but a public health necessity.

Workplace health advocates, like Ruth Wilkinson from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, warn that unspoken job expectations, such as constant availability and a lack of boundaries, are feeding a dangerous “long hours culture.”

She calls for immediate reform: “We must redefine work norms and give people the right to truly disconnect.”