Microplastics Invade Our Brains: A Terrifying Discovery
Microplastic Particles Found in Brain Samples in Minor Quantities, Study Suggests
It's time to brace yourself for a shocking revelation: microplastics, those tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size, have infiltrated our very brains. In a groundbreaking study, scientists discovered that an average of 0.48% of brain tissue samples taken from cadavers was made up of these miniature invaders [1].
Here's what we know so far about this alarming find.
The Study Reveals the Extent of Plastic's Presence
This game-changing research, currently awaiting peer review, is accessible online as a preprint on the National Library of Medicine website. The team behind this mind-bending discovery analyzed brain samples, along with samples from livers and kidneys, collected from a medical examiner's office between 2016 and 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico [1].
The results? The levels of microplastics have risen in every organ over that eight-year period, but the brain has taken the cake by showing a 50% jump in 2024 compared to 2016, with the amounts being 7 to 30 times higher than in the other organs [1].
Polyethylene, a common plastic used in making plastic bags and bottles, was the most frequently found plastic in all the sampled organs [1].
Previous Research Paved the Way for This Findings
While it might have come as a surprise to some, the idea that plastics could amass in human brains wasn't entirely uncharted territory. Previous studies found microplastics in the brains of fish, leading to erratic behavior, hinting that this could be a problem for humans as well [1].
Health Consequences: A Closer Look
Microplastics have been linked to a wide range of health concerns, including neural disorders [1]. In fact, a review of medical literature points to a connection between microplastics and numerous chronic diseases, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorders, negative effects on immune response, and more [1].
Implications for the Future of Our Health
Equally striking is the correlation between the rise in microplastics over time and an increase in rates of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia conditions [1]. Although a direct cause-and-effect relationship has yet to be established, it still gives cause for concern. As Matthew Campen, the professor who led the research, puts it, "I don't know how much more plastic our brain can stuff in without it causing some problems" [1].
Sources of Microplastics: The Everyday Suspects
Microplastics can find their way into our bodies through various routes, such as ingestion (food and water), inhalation (air), and dermal contact (skin) [1]. Common sources include toothpaste, beer, honey, salt, sugar, tap water, and even bottled water [1]. The air we breathe also contains microplastics, adding to our exposure [1].
One study even suggested that microplastics could affect the weather [1].
Future Steps Toward Reducing Microplastic Exposure
To minimize the intake of microplastics, consider transitioning to tap water, minimizing heated plastic food containers, and choosing non-plastic containers (like glass or stainless steel) [1].
It seems we have a long way to go in preventing the infiltration of microplastics into our organs and leading healthier lives. The future may require more substantial changes in our everyday habits and a greater awareness of the hidden dangers lurking in the things we consume.
- The rising prevalence of microplastics in our brains, as discovered in a study from 2016 to 2024 in Albuquerque, suggests a possible link between plastics and future health concerns, such as neural disorders and metabolic disorders.
- In the study, scientists found that the amounts of microplastics in brains were 7 to 30 times higher than in the other organs, like livers and kidneys, with a 50% jump in 2024 compared to 2016.
- The scientists' findings support earlier theories about microplastics in fish brains leading to erratic behavior, suggesting that humans might face similar health issues in the future.
- Everyday items, like toothpaste, bottled water, and tap water, may contribute to our microplastic exposure, along with inhalation and dermal contact, requiring us to reconsider our everyday habits and choose alternatives like glass or stainless steel containers to reduce our microplastic intake.
