[beowulfey]

It is an inhibitor of whats called the Integrated Stress Response. A “normal” cell is one that uses glucose to create energy and create additional fuel for mitochondria to make LOTS of fuel (caveat- not every cell, this varies a lot, but often enough). This fuel is used to power everything and keep it working well.

Under stress, a lot of that normal machinery is shut down, which means a neuron may not communicate anymore, as all these normal things need lots of energy.

I am not as sure on this point, but I think stress generally means a cell takes in less glucose; it shuts down mitochondria, and overall produces less energy.