by Ananya Gupta

Research has shown that secrets can have detrimental effects, physically. Keeping a secret can be draining, as you need to commandeer your emotional and cognitive systems. Your brain begins to think about all the worst-case-scenarios, promoting a more extreme “fight or flight” response, due to an influx of anxiety and fear. There is a good amount of stress, as there is a social cost. Relationships can be broken down due to mistrust. Neurosurgeons suggest that people confess, in an effort to better their health, in an effort to release our brain from that stressed position.

Overall? Secrets not only can be harmful socially, but mentally as well.