Anticipatory Memes

Behold! The recursive stress function in action! What we're witnessing here is basically the neurobiological equivalent of a while(true) loop with no break statement. The human brain, that magnificent 3-pound blob of neurons, has evolved the spectacular ability to not only experience stress but to anticipate and stress about future stress—creating a beautiful cascade of cortisol before the actual stressor even exists! It's like your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis decided to work overtime without even being asked. Efficient? No. Peak college experience? Absolutely.