In this episode, Emma Van Den Driest explores the neurobiology of stress and burnout through a systems-based lens, supporting a deeper understanding of how chronic stress reshapes physiology, brain function, and immune resilience. Emma unpacks key stress pathways, including HPA axis dynamics, autonomic nervous system balance, cortisol and DHEA variability, thyroid involvement, and the concept of allostatic load as a driver of maladaptation.

From structural and functional brain changes to mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysregulation and inflammation, Emma differentiates burnout from compassion fatigue, and explores diverse burnout presentations, including work-related burnout, parental burnout, and autistic burnout, highlighting the role of personal demands, resources, and environmental stressors. With clinically relevant insights into recognising risk factors, symptom patterns, and stages of burnout progression, and an emphasis on restoring resilience, Emma provides a strong framework to better understand burnout biology.