While there may be some adaptive benefits to anxiety and stress, the long-term effects of these emotions may be less positive.

These are the findings of a new study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Neuroscience conducted by University of Wisconsin, Madison researchers.

Their report indicates that being in a state of high anxiety and stress may have served an evolutionary purpose at one point. It allowed human ancestors to locate and identify possible threats. However, it also appears to interfere with an individual’s ability to conduct more complex thinking.

For the study, researchers examined the brain waves of participants while they were faced with the possibility of receiving an unpleasant electrical shock. When the treat arose, the investigators noted more activity in the vision and hearing centers of the brain. However, there was less activity in areas responsible for more abstract thought.

The findings may have implications for individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders. They suggest that a persistent state of unrest may interfere with a person’s mental health. The researchers said that mental exercises like meditation may mitigate these effects.