The Brain, Chronic Stress and Irrational Hoarding of Toilet Paper and Hand Sanitizers

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

I love guys like you who think that because you have a gun you can just come take what you want when you run out. He may have some lead to throw your way when you show up to take what’s his. I know I would have a few lead answers in response. Your dogs may soon be his dogs or in his meat freezer. Maybe he will come visit you first.

If society breaks down that far when you’re killing a friend or a neighbor to get their stuff there is no country or laws. You run out of TP and you go visit your neighbor and the pandemic passes you’re going to jail or prison eventually

Nah, if things got *that* bad, 'prison' would not be the concern to *anyone*.

[PamelaIamela]

Originally Posted by SimplySagacious

University of Cambridge has an explanation for the irrational hoarding of toilet paper and hand sanitizers


How chronic stress changes the brain --- and what you can do to reverse the damage

Stress can also interfere with our balance between rational thinking and emotions. For example, the stressful news about the global spread of the novel Coronavirus has caused people to hoard hand sanitisers, tissues and toilet paper. Shops are becoming empty of these supplies, despite reassurance by the government that there is plenty of stock available.

This is because stress may force the brain to switch to a “habit system”. Under stress, brain areas such as the putamen, a round structure at the base of the forebrain, show greater activation. Such activation has been associated with hoarding behaviour. In addition, in stressful situations, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in emotional cognition – such as evaluation of social affiliations and learning about fear – may enhance irrational fears. Eventually, these fears essentially override the brain’s usual ability for cold, rational decision-making.


https://theconversation.com/how-chro...-damage-133194

This is fascinating and may explain my overwhelming desire to follow the herd and get toilet paper against all reason.
Here is how whacko it got even for a scientific, independent, former logician like me:

I buy large BJ's staples and still have 20 rolls left.
I live alone.
I have a Toto Washlet for which I use ~2-3 sheets after a quick air-dry phase to complete the process.
There are 110 sheets per roll.
If I self-isolate and use the system ten times a day the roll will last 44 days.
My supply will last 880 days, or 2.41 YEARS.

That said, I wanted to buy more when I saw some available.
So I closed my eyes, grit my teeth... and walked on by.
I was very proud of myself!

Lord, who knew our herd impulse would be so hard to resist?

[Lucy_C]

Herd impulse - so true! I bought several packages of ziplocs this weekend. Why?? I. don't. know!!

But, I now feel a sense of control over my own ziploc destiny.

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by Lucy_C

Herd impulse - so true! I bought several packages of ziplocs this weekend. Why?? I. don't. know!!

But, I now feel a sense of control over my own ziploc destiny.

Ziplocs? That a new one for me!

I started buying extra things in February when some of the youtubers I follow started talking about how things were going down in China and that we need to prepare. I didn't really think it was anything BUT that nagging voice kept telling me to do it anyway since I live in earthquake country and never prepared for that either so it was a 2 birds/1 stone thing. I also bought a package of TP every week for the last couple weeks! Normal package, not the Costco size package. And even though I haven't bought any recently I just check and for some reason I do have a lot of ziplocs..lol.

[mike1003]

https://crafty.diply.com/120993/peop...ilet-paper-sho