{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Cognitive Edge","title":"Cognitive Performance Under Pressure: Brain Fog, Hormones and High-Stakes Decisions w Caroline Gurvich","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2759,"description":"In the inaugural episode of Cognitive Edge, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Dr Caroline Gurvich—Deputy Director of HER Centre Australia at Monash University and one of Australia’s leading experts on cognition, hormones and women’s mental health. Drawing on decades of clinical and research experience, Gurvich unpacks what cognition really is: not just memory or attention, but a dynamic interaction between thinking, emotion, physiology and environment. This conversation will help improve your understanding of “brain fog”, stress and cognitive load–and what to do about them–from a neuropsychology lens.  This episode delivers a critical insight for leaders, professionals and policymakers alike: subjective cognitive struggle does not necessarily mean objective cognitive decline. Gurvich explains why many women experience cognitive disruption during hormonal transitions—particularly perimenopause—while objective performance often remains intact, and why confidence, perception and support matter just as much as raw capability. Listeners will also gain practical strategies to protect cognitive performance under pressure and in high stakes environments, understand how hormones interact with sleep, emotion and decision-making, and prepare cognitively for high-stakes environments shaped by information overload and emerging technologies.\nLink to HER Centre: https://www.monash.edu/medicine/her-centre\nChapters\n00:00 Introduction to Cognitive Performance and Health03:20 Foundations of Good Cognitive Health05:56 The Role of Emotions in Decision Making08:52 Hormones and Cognition: An Overview12:09 Menopause and Cognitive Changes12:53 Subjective vs. Objective Cognitive Performance15:30 The Impact of Sleep on Cognition18:31 Research Insights on Estrogen and Brain Function21:42 Cognitive Load and Measurement Techniques24:26 Technology's Impact on Cognition27:24 Tips for Maintaining Cognitive Performance29:21 Lifestyle Factors for Cognitive Health31:53 Practical Strategies for...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/3W3x14w4GoWZnNAYsXzYofKhAMdbfsDyjGR4X5VUBcM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xNjlm/ZDRkMDAxNjY5MDc5/NTdkNTMxYjQyZTFh/OWIxNi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}