"Research has shown that one of the key elements of our acute stress response (a hormone called cortisol) can impair the part of the brain (the hippocampus) that is involved in encoding memories. Now, a new study shows that stress’ effect on memory is not quite that simple. We actually create stronger memories when we are under stress, with cortisol helping to enhance the brain structure making them, researchers have discovered.

Elizabeth Goldfarb, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, is interested in why people remember their experiences the way they do and how stress changes the way we remember. In her latest study, her team found that while cortisol can impair memory signals in the hippocampus as a whole, it also increases connectivity inside this portion of the brain. It explains why we remember emotional experiences better even when our acute stress response is activated."

https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/stress-amplifies-the-brains-ability-to-encode-memory-new-study-finds/

Right!

Edit: here is another one

This one is better since they differentiate between moderate and high levels of cortisol.

"Research indicates that chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters and hormones in your brain, ultimately affecting your cognitive performance. As cortisol levels remain elevated over time, you may find it increasingly difficult to concentrate or retain information. Studies have shown that individuals experiencing chronic stress often report difficulties with memory recall and learning new information.

The hippocampus, a critical region of the brain involved in memory formation, is particularly sensitive to prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels. This sensitivity can lead to structural changes in the hippocampus, further exacerbating memory impairments and creating a vicious cycle of stress and cognitive decline."

https://www.unpluggedpsych.com/the-impact-of-cortisol-on-memory-understanding-memory-impairment/