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Cognitive Debt

Meaning

A conceptual, non-clinical term used to describe the cumulative deficit in mental resources and function resulting from chronic under-recovery, sleep deprivation, and sustained cognitive load. This state manifests as a measurable decline in executive function, attention span, and decision-making capacity. It represents a physiological burden on the neural systems responsible for higher-order thinking and is a precursor to cognitive burnout. Addressing this debt requires structured recovery protocols to restore optimal neural resource allocation.